Jurgen Klopp has risked Arsene Wenger's wrath ahead of Liverpool's visit to the Emirates Stadium by claiming the Arsenal manager failed to get the best out of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Oxlade-Chamberlain joined Liverpool in August after Wenger decided to cash in before the England midfielder's contract expired.
The 24-year-old never quite lived up to his early promise at Arsenal after his switch from Southampton.
But, after a slow start at Liverpool following his US$46-million move, Oxlade Chamberlain has started to hit his stride in recent weeks - just in time for his first return to Emirates on Friday.
Reds boss Klopp has been impressed by Oxlade-Chamberlain's development at Anfield, saying: "He had to adapt. I know how it is if you're kind of a big signing.
"You have to perform immediately. But it:s difficult.
"I was happy from the first day about his involvement, about his attitude, and since then he became more and more a Liverpool player."
But Klopp believes Oxlade-Chamberlain would already be an even more potent force if he had been instructed to add a goal threat to his game while he was with Arsenal.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has scored just twice in 20 appearances for Liverpool and managed 20 goals in 198 games for Arsenal.
Klopp believes that poor strike rate is down to Wenger prioritizing the talents of Alexis Sanchez and Mezut Ozil.
"I think the biggest improvement, or the biggest potential he still has, is really being involved in goalscoring situations, because he has it in himself," Klopp said.
As if that wasn't enough to irk Wenger, Klopp also made a point of highlighting how the Frenchman, so renowned for his purist principles, he often used a far more rudimentary approach against liverpool based around the aerial ability of Olivier Giroud. With Manchester City running away with the Premier League title race, the focus at the Emirates will on the battle for a top four finish.
It is a crucial clash for both sides as fourth placed Liverpool are one point ahead of fifth Arsenal in the battle to qualify for the Champions League.
Wenger made it clear how important Liverpool's visit is when he made 11 changes for Tuesday's 1-0 League Cup quarter-final win over West Ham.
Steven Griffiths
Agence France-Presse/London
Oxlade-Chamberlain joined Liverpool in August after Wenger decided to cash in before the England midfielder's contract expired.
The 24-year-old never quite lived up to his early promise at Arsenal after his switch from Southampton.
But, after a slow start at Liverpool following his US$46-million move, Oxlade Chamberlain has started to hit his stride in recent weeks - just in time for his first return to Emirates on Friday.
Reds boss Klopp has been impressed by Oxlade-Chamberlain's development at Anfield, saying: "He had to adapt. I know how it is if you're kind of a big signing.
"You have to perform immediately. But it:s difficult.
"I was happy from the first day about his involvement, about his attitude, and since then he became more and more a Liverpool player."
But Klopp believes Oxlade-Chamberlain would already be an even more potent force if he had been instructed to add a goal threat to his game while he was with Arsenal.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has scored just twice in 20 appearances for Liverpool and managed 20 goals in 198 games for Arsenal.
Klopp believes that poor strike rate is down to Wenger prioritizing the talents of Alexis Sanchez and Mezut Ozil.
"I think the biggest improvement, or the biggest potential he still has, is really being involved in goalscoring situations, because he has it in himself," Klopp said.
As if that wasn't enough to irk Wenger, Klopp also made a point of highlighting how the Frenchman, so renowned for his purist principles, he often used a far more rudimentary approach against liverpool based around the aerial ability of Olivier Giroud. With Manchester City running away with the Premier League title race, the focus at the Emirates will on the battle for a top four finish.
It is a crucial clash for both sides as fourth placed Liverpool are one point ahead of fifth Arsenal in the battle to qualify for the Champions League.
Wenger made it clear how important Liverpool's visit is when he made 11 changes for Tuesday's 1-0 League Cup quarter-final win over West Ham.
Steven Griffiths
Agence France-Presse/London
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