Jurgen Klopp has conceded that he should not have named Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in Liverpool’s starting eleven on Wednesday night.
Chamberlain suffered a serious knee injury during the Champions League semi-final against Roma back in April 2018, which kept him sidelined for over a year.
Since returning to match action, the 26-year-old has come off the bench three times – the latest appearance coming in the Community Shield defeat to Manchester City earlier this month.
The midfielder began on the left side of the Liverpool attacking trio against Chelsea , but was replaced by Roberto Firmino at half-time with the Reds trailing 1-0.
(Image: 2019 Liverpool FC)
Firmino’s introduction was not part of the pre-match plan however, it sparked Liverpool into life as they went on to secure the Super Cup with a 5-4 penalty shootout victory after the game ended 2-2 following extra-time.
According to the Liverpool Echo , Klopp admitted it was tough for Oxlade-Chamberlain but isn’t worried about the player’s future.
He said: “I didn’t say a lot to Ox [at half-time] I don’t think it was necessary. It was very important for him to have these minutes.
“It’s a position he can play and he can play much better than he did tonight. That’s how it is after a long injury, you have to find your rhythm.
(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
“In training it’s already there. In the game he had good moments but not enough for his quality. It was a very intense game and I had to make that decision because I didn’t want to push him.
“We wanted to give him an opportunity to shine. It wasn’t as possible as we would have wished in that position, but that was my mistake and not his as I made the decision.”
Klopp’s men return to action on Saturday when they travel to Southampton in the Premier League .
