Former Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has once again found himself without a club after his contract with Turkish side Besiktas was brought to an early end. The 32-year-old, who joined Liverpool from Arsenal back in 2017 for a reported £35m, spent six years at Anfield before leaving as a free agent in the summer of 2023.
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s spell in Turkey proved short-lived, with reports suggesting his deal was terminated after he failed to feature in any of Besiktas’ opening six matches of the new season.
Looking back on his final months at Liverpool, the midfielder admitted that his departure came with little communication from the club. In an interview, he revealed that he only learned of his exit a few days before the official announcement was made alongside James Milner, Roberto Firmino, and Naby Keita.
> “It was never really explained,” Oxlade-Chamberlain said. “I was told just before the statement went out that myself, Milly, Bobby, and Naby would be leaving. That was it. Nothing had been said beforehand – the silence was enough to understand the situation.”
Despite constant injury setbacks during his Liverpool career, Oxlade-Chamberlain still managed 146 appearances, playing his part in the Reds’ historic Premier League and Champions League triumphs under Jürgen Klopp. He was also keen to make clear that his relationship with the German coach never soured.
> “There was no fallout with Klopp,” he explained. “When I was playing, I loved working with him. Of course, when I wasn’t even making the bench, it was tougher, but that’s football. I always tried to be a positive presence around the squad.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain, along with his fellow departing teammates, was given a proper send-off during Liverpool’s final home game of the 2022/23 campaign, receiving a heartfelt ovation from the Anfield crowd.
As he now weighs up his next move, the former England international remains a free agent, with fresh speculation already linking him to potential new opportunities.
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