Jamie Carragher claims Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will have to force his way into Liverpool's central midfield

Oxlade-Chamberlain completed his move to Anfield from Arsenal on Thursday

(Getty)

Jamie Carragher believes Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will have to force his way into Jurgen Klopp’s starting line-up if he intends to play in central midfield for Liverpool.

Oxlade-Chamberlain completed his move to Anfield from Arsenal on Thursday, hours before the close of the summer transfer window, having turned down a move to Chelsea.

The 24-year-old is understood to have rebuffed the Premier League champions as he was likely to be used as a wing-back at Stamford Bridge, while he wishes to play central midfield.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, former Liverpool defender Carragher praised Oxlade-Chamberlain’s decision to move to Merseyside but doubted whether he will slot straight into Klopp’s midfield.

“I think we should applaud the fact that reports say he’s taken less money than he would have got at Arsenal,” Carragher said. “He wants his career to progress in a different way so you have to applaud him for that, so you have to applaud him for that.

“He talks about playing centre midfield. I’m going to be interested to see how that one plays out really. Liverpool have probably got five or six central midfield players who are really good.”

Liverpool started Sunday’s 4-0 win over Arsenal with Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum and Emre Can in the middle. All three impressed while Oxlade-Chamberlain struggled at left wing-back for Arsenal.

“I’m not sure Oxlade-Chamberlain when everyone is fit will get in that midfield three,” Carragher said.

“There’s still Coutinho and Lallana to come back, players who performed so well. It remains to be seen, to me, how that one is going to work.

“I think he’s a good player for the squad at the moment but central midfield, I’m still scratching my head on that one. I haven’t seen enough of him in that position yet.

“Credit to him, he wants to further his career. He thinks he’ll get more out of working with Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. Buying him for that amount of money with 12 months to go, there must be a plan in place. I’m interested to see how that one works out.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain is Liverpool’s fourth major signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Mohamed Salah, Dominic Solanke and Andrew Robertson.