Jurgen Klopp issues Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain exit warning amid contract wrangling

Jurgen Klopp believes Alex Oxlade Chamberlain's new found maturity has taken his game to a whole new level.

But even though the Liverpool manager says the midfielder is producing the most compelling form of his Anfield career, he accepts he could LOSE the 28-year-old as his contract counts down.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has just 18 months left on his Reds contract, and Klopp said: "I think it is a completely normal situation...it is about what makes sense for both sides in six or 18 months.

"But it is not important at all at the moment. In this moment what is important is how do you contribute when you play? That is the only thing."

The England midfielder's contribution in recent weeks has been immense. He has forced his way into Klopp's regular starting line up...and seriously impressed the manager with his development.

"It's pretty much the best Oxlade since I was here. I know he was more spectacular in (past) moments, scoring against City and some really good goals, but it is a completely new quality," he said.

"Calming the game down, knowing when to sprint with the ball, when to shoot. Being involved in all the different things on the pitch is a massive step and I'm really happy with Ox in the moment and hopefully it (stays) like this."

The midfielder impressed against Milan in the San Siro and then again in back to back Premier League wins over Villa and Newcastle.

That prompted Klopp to assert that his form is even better than in 2018 when he was spectacular in the Champions League...before a serious injury in the semi final against Roma kept him out for an entire year.

Niggling injuries in fact, meant his career ever since has been stop start, and that has left his contract to run down, with Liverpool now facing a serious dilemma over his future.

If he doesn't agree a new deal soon, then the Reds may be forced to cash in during the summer, or lose him on a free within 12 months. Yet Klopp is totally untroubled about that situation.

Divock Origi is another squad player who has come into sensational form in recent weeks, and he has just SIX months left on his contract. Yet Klopp says BOTH players can go if that is best for their career.

"It is not just about the two players you mention. We will not stay together forever. That is how it is," he said.

"If someone wants to go somewhere else we have to find a solution for it. If we want to find somebody from another club we have to find a solution for it.

"But it has nothing to do with now - and I don't plan with players coming, in the case if other players cannot play.

"It's about how you play in the moment and then you are in the starting line-up - if your contract expires in two days, four months or five years it makes absolutely no difference."

Both could play at Spurs if the game goes ahead, as Liverpool face two games in three days after Thursday night's victory, and Klopp added: "They are important not because they are happy when they don't play, but because they can really contribute in the moment when they start or when they come on and that is why they are Liverpool players."