Klopp performs Liverpool transfer U-turn despite previous midfielder stance

Liverpool have no intention to sell Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain this summer, according to reports.

The England international is out of contract in 2023 and found himself out of favour throughout the second half of the season just gone as the Reds challenged for the quadruple. Oxlade-Chamberlain, 28, failed to make a Premier League appearance after Liverpool's 3-1 win over Norwich City on February 19 and was not named in a league squad in seven of their last eight matches.

As a result, he has been linked with a move away from the Reds, with Leeds, Southampton and Fulham all named as potential destinations, However, the Liverpool Echo reports that the club have no desire to sanction the 28-year-old's exit.

With the Reds putting their scheme to sign a new midfielder on hold until summer 2023, Oxlade-Chamberlain is expected to report back for pre-season on July 4 and remains part of Liverpool's plans for the season ahead. Jude Bellingham and Youri Tielemans were amongst the players linked with a move to the Reds but Jurgen Klopp has chosen to stick with the midfield players available and wait until next summer instead.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has scored 17 goals in 133 appearances for the Reds since joining from Arsenal in 2017. Although it looks unlikely the former Southampton man will sign a new contract, he could have an important role to play as the Reds push for more trophies next season.

Fabinho, Thiago and Jordan Henderson started the majority of Liverpool's matches during the latter stages of the campaign, with Naby Keita, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott playing second fiddle from the bench. Oxlade-Chamberlain would often fall below those six in the pecking order but Klopp seems to trust the player.

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Someone who will be allowed to leave this summer, though, is Neco Williams, following the arrival of Calvin Ramsay for a fee in the region of £6.5million on Saturday. However, the Reds will only let him depart on a permanent deal, rather than another loan.

Reports over the weekend suggested that Liverpool could allow the Wales international to leave Anfield on a temporary basis, having shone on loan at Fulham when helping them win promotion to the Premier League during the second half of last season. However, the report adds the Reds have no intention of sanctioning another short-term exit.

Liverpool have placed a £15m price-tag on Williams' head with Fulham and Nottingham Forest interested in the player, while a number of oversees clubs have been linked with the 21-year-old.