Steve Nicol has no sympathy for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s recent comments about how he left Liverpool this summer.In an interview with The Athletic, the 30-year-old revealed he learned of the Reds’ plans to let him leave when his contract expires when someone told him the club would issue a statement.
The current Besiktas player admitted he was “shocked” to learn his time at Anfield was coming to an end after six years, but it didn’t hurt Nicol too much.The 61-year-old said this in an interview with ESPN FC. “You have to know where you stand. Are you really saying you were so shocked that the person disappeared? If you don’t understand where you are at the club as a player, you are in the wrong place. But if you don’t know, go ahead and ask. Don’t sit back and be meek and quiet and then suddenly start talking about it six or twelve months later.”How nice it would be if sometimes someone came up to you and said, ‘Where are you?’ How are you? How are you? We seem to be doing well.” “The game doesn’t work that way.”Asked about her experience leaving the club, Nicole said: “I knew it. I knew my time was up. Know. You should know.
If you know anything about yourself, you have to know when it’s time. You don’t need someone to come and put their arm around you and say, “Oh, thank you so much for everything you’ve done.” This is a professional company. This is a group company and you need to know where you stand. “You can’t expect [your manager] to come and hug you.”Nicol is right to say that top level football is a very tough business with no room for complacency when it comes to player contract decisions.
However, it’s still a shame that the Oaks weren’t notified before announcing such an important decision and that the window was so short. Let’s not forget that he played his part under Jurgen Klopp in a very successful and memorable spell at the club.
