Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain set to play for England against Slovenia despite nightmare Liverpool start
LIVERPOOL’S Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is set to line up for England on Thursday night — despite a nightmare start to his Anfield career.
The Ox, 24, has struggled since his deadline day £35million move from Arsenal but should get his 30th cap on the right wing against Slovenia.
He started the 2-1 win over Slovakia at Wembley on September 4 but has managed only 164 minutes for Liverpool since then.
His sole start was the 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat at Leicester, while his performances have drawn stinging criticism from Reds fans.
Raheem Sterling receives the same treatment from England supporters.
But boss Gareth Southgate has tipped the winger to shrug off the boo-boys.
Manchester City star Sterling, 22, is set to start up front with Spurs talisman Harry Kane and Southgate said:
“I think Raheem is a tough lad.
“That’s one of the attributes I really like about him. He bounces back from disappointments and he goes again.
“He is ready for the game. I can see he is looking forward to it.
“He is in a good place with his club, he’s working with a good coach there and we have huge belief in him as well.
“I’ve no doubts, looking at the way we’ve trained this week, that we’ll give a good performance.”
Southgate, hoping the 60,000-plus at Wembley will be positive, added: “We want the crowd to be excited with what they’re watching.
"Raheem’s a player who can do that.
“He can beat people, his goalscoring record is improving and he works hard for the team.”