Football
Glenn Price, Liverpool correspondent 7y

Where will Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain play in Liverpool starting XI?

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has cited Jurgen Klopp as one of the "instrumental" reasons in his decision to move to Liverpool from Arsenal for £35 million and turn down Chelsea in the process.

The midfielder was reported to have grown frustrated at his wing-back role under Arsene Wenger, but there is no guarantee he will play in his preferred central-midfield position at Anfield.

ESPN FC assesses the versatile England international's standing in the Liverpool squad and where his likely to play.

Central midfield

The signing of Oxlade-Chamberlain brings Liverpool greater depth in this position. The 24-year-old adds to Klopp's options in the heart of the pitch, joining Jordan Henderson, Emre Can, Georginio Wijnaldum and Adam Lallana, who is out currently out injured. It's a position where Philippe Coutinho could also play if he drops deeper.

Despite the competition for places, it's expected that Oxlade-Chamberlain will see plenty of action in midfield over the course of Liverpool's busy season.

With Henderson tying down the defensive-midfield role, he will battle with Can, Wijnaldum and Lallana for the advanced central-midfield starting berth.

Oxlade-Chamberlain may see himself there, but Klopp had plenty of adequate options to choose from already. Young Ben Woodburn showed his suitability to playing in midfield during preseason, and the 17-year-old's emergence gives Klopp another decision to make.

Attacking midfield

In his first interview as a Liverpool player, Oxlade-Chamberlain answered the question about his preferred position. "I've spoke about this for about six years -- my whole career -- where I'm going to be playing or where I'd like to play," he told the club's official website. "I just say I'd like to be an attacking midfielder."

For the majority of last season, Liverpool played a 4-3-3 formation, which didn't necessarily include attacking midfielders on paper, although the No. 8s were given licence to venture forward as much as possible -- acting, at times, like attacking midfielders.

There were times, however, when Klopp changed systems and used a midfield diamond with two upfront.

Liverpool tried a number of different formations during their preseason tour of Hong Kong and Germany, and the addition Oxlade-Chamberlain may allow them to be more tactically versatile during 2017-18. There were occasions where Oxlade-Chamberlain thrived as a No. 10 at Arsenal.

Winger

Liverpool's wingers form part of their attack-minded frontline trio, and while Oxlade-Chamberlain may not strike the same fear in defenders as Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah do, his ability to play on the wing should come in useful when either Salah or Mane need a rest.

"There's going to be a lot of positions [available] in this team: upfront, because the wingers play a bit more inside, or the midfield," Oxlade-Chamberlain said. "I just want to be able to be an attacking influence and have that effect further up the pitch; whether that's from an attacking midfield position or one of the wider positions coming in, I'm not too fussed."

It's not a position where Liverpool are not entirely blessed with that many options. Coutinho thrived as a left forward last season, but there are suggestions that he will play deeper this season now he has not left for Barcelona. That could mean Oxlade-Chamberlain is the back-up option out wide for Liverpool this term.

Wing-back

Right wing-back is where Oxlade-Chamberlain finished his Arsenal career, performing well there after Wenger switched to a back three towards the latter stages of last season.

Klopp has mainly used a back four during his time at Anfield, and while there are clear instructions on his full-backs joining in with attacks, there is also a huge emphasis placed on their defensive responsibilities.

Even with Nathaniel Clyne out injured indefinitely, Trent Alexander-Arnold is making the right-back spot his own, while Joe Gomez serves as an adequate deputy. Unless there's a change of system, it appears unlikely Oxlade-Chamberlain is set for another stint at wing-back.

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