Klopp's Regret Over Oxlade-Chamberlain: The Star Who Never Reached His Ceiling

Jurgen Klopp has cast a wistful eye back over his Liverpool tenure, singling out Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as the player most let down by the injury curse that plagued his Merseyside career.

Speaking on Peter Crouch's podcast, the German reflected on what might have been for the midfielder, whose time at Anfield was marred by persistent fitness problems. "Ox, with his dynamism, with his speed, without the injuries, Ox would have gone through the roof 100%," Klopp said of the former Arsenal man.

The 35 million pound signing arrived from the Gunners in summer 2017 but managed just 146 appearances across six seasons on Merseyside—a tally that barely scratches the surface of what his talent suggested he could achieve. His explosive pace and energy were precisely the sort of qualities Klopp typically prizes, yet the injury gods had other ideas.

The conversation also saw Klopp address the perennial question of his own future in the game. Though he departed Liverpool at the conclusion of the 2023/24 campaign, citing mental exhaustion, he has maintained an ambiguous stance on a potential return to the technical area. Currently serving as Red Bull's Head of Global Soccer, he has consistently downplayed any immediate comeback plans whilst stopping short of drawing a line under his managerial career entirely.

When asked about the prospect of announcing his retirement, Klopp was characteristically evasive. "No, no, no, I obviously have to say not yet because I still have time since I heard Roy Hodgson is coming back," he quipped, before elaborating on his current contentment with life away from the dugout.

"In this moment, there is nothing. I love what I do. I'm a busy man, which is good, because I'm not good when I have nothing to do, to be honest. I can enjoy family, can enjoy spare time, go on holiday, but still work. At the moment, I miss nothing," he explained.

Klopp's affection for Liverpool itself, however, remains undimmed. He spoke warmly of his nine-year spell on Merseyside, recounting how he and his family fell for the city almost immediately upon arrival. "We fell in love with the city instantly," he told Crouch, describing how they initially lived in a hotel before settling into a flat and exploring the streets on foot.

"We all know Liverpool of course has rough parts, but it's beautiful as well. And then you get to know more and more people and then it's really difficult not to fall in love with it, because the people are special. That's why it felt like home," Klopp reflected. "I mean it was home for nine years and it still feels home. When I fly in, it's coming home."