Oxlade-Chamberlain says ex-Liverpool team-mate "disgusting to watch" in training

19 August 2023 , 08:35

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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has made light of a former team-mate in training

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain claims former Liverpool team-mate Andy Robertson can be "disgusting to watch" in some training drills.

The midfielder left Anfield this summer and has since penned a deal to move to Turkey with Besiktas. Oxlade-Chamberlain moved to Liverpool from Arsenal in the summer of 2017 and helped the club enjoy notable success, claiming glory in the Premier League and Champions League.

Jurgen Klopp was able to build a star-studded squad, but whilst they were electric to watch on the pitch Oxlade-Chamberlain has joked about how that wasn't always the case on the training pitch - particularly when it came to the team's Scottish left-back, who has earned huge plaudits.

Teams often begin training by doing what is known as a 'rondo'. The exercise sees players gather in a circle with one player in the middle attempting to win back possession, but it was certainly not the drill that bought the best out of Robertson according to his former colleague.

He said on the Tubes and Ange Golf Life YouTube channel: "Yeah, he’s possibly the worst I’ve ever played with in a rondo. You watch him in a rondo… I don’t know how he’s so good at football. Honestly, it’s disgusting to watch. And I’ll say that with chest on camera.

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"Honestly, I say it to him all the time. He’ll admit it, he’s awful in a rondo! His hips don’t move great, so anything that’s a stretch, he’s falling over. He’s just not nice in a rondo! No flair about him in a rondo."

Robertson has ironically earned huge praise throughout his time at Anfield having arrived on the cheap from Hull following their relegation. Jose Mourinho claimed he was "absolutely incredible" after seeing him up close whilst he was Manchester United manager.

Oxlade-Chamberlain previously admitted he was surprised by the Scot's personality, hailing him as the joker of the squad. Her said: "without a shadow of a doubt. He’s not what I expected either, from playing against him at Hull. I’m the type of player, on the pitch, mid-game, I can give the opposition a bit, but in a friendly, jokey way.

“And I was always on the right wing against Robbo, he never really gave me anything. He’s a bit horrible on the pitch. I’ve turned up to Liverpool and the guy doesn’t shut up, honestly. He comes in the dressing room, physio room, canteen, you hear him before you see him guaranteed."

Samuel Meade