Former Arsenal winger, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has said Jurgen Klopp was “instrumental” to him leaving the gunners for Liverpool this summer.
Oxlade-Chamberlain completed a deadline-day switch to Anfield in a deal worth up to £40million, having entered the final 12 months of his Arsenal contract without renewal.
This came after the 24-year-old snubbed a chance to sign for Chelsea.
“Even as a neutral watching him last season, you [could see] he’s a really interesting character and someone that seems very inspiring for people that aren’t even involved in the club,” Oxlade-Chamberlain told Liverpool’s official website.
“Watching him, [you see] his passion and how much he cares about the game.
“The thing that stood out for me was his relationship with the players, how close he seems to bond with the players on and off the field. That’s massive and it’s definitely a big plus when you’re looking to progress — having that relationship with the manager, that definitely helps.
“And then obviously the way his teams play, that’s definitely inspirational for me and was one of the instrumental [reasons] – if not the main reason – that I felt this place was definitely the place for me.”
Prior to the move, Oxlade-Chamberlain also observed Klopp’s relationship with his players.
“Even when he was at [Borussia] Dortmund, you see these things from the outside when you look at managers and the way they work,” he added.
“He’s definitely a manager that’s very animated on the side and you sort of feel like you get to know him without even knowing him when you listen to him in his press conferences — and then the insights I’ve had from the boys on him.
“First of all, what he’s achieved, you respect that straight away and how much he knows about the game, and then all his extra attributes — his relationships with the players and how he pushes you, encourages you and what he demands from you — that’s like a bonus. That’s what makes him special in my eyes.”
