Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has no doubts over the quality of recent addition Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The former Arsenal midfielder has had a slow start to his Anfield career.
However, Klopp says: “A new start is very often a kind of relief, that's how it is.
“You are in a situation with your old club – and I don't say this about Alex specifically – and you accept it and it is difficult to make the next step.
“I thought it made complete sense for Alex to change club and to come here. So far I can see that. He has settled in perfectly. He knew at least all the England players and a few others.
“He knows the situation. He played all the games for Arsenal from the beginning and now he comes here and is on the bench so it looks 'Oh, not the best decision' but it is long-term thing.
"We want to use him and to prepare him also. It is all good from this side at the moment."
He added: “The judgement from outside may be that you don't develop but playing different positions is development.
“Probably when Alex was 18 or 19 people thought he would be 'the man'. A lot of times people say that kind of thing early – and immediately you put a rucksack on the player's back. That makes development not easy.
“(The better way is to) hide them for as long as makes sense and then send them out as soon as possible. He's at a perfect age and is still able to make big steps."