Oxlade-Chamberlain to return at crucial time for Liverpool, predicts Klopp in most positive injury update yet
England midfielder has been sidelined since April with ruptured knee ligaments but could be back soon
ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN will make his long-awaited Liverpool return THIS season, in a bid to help them clinch the Premier League title.
The England midfielder has been sidelined since April with ruptured cruciate, medial and lateral ligaments in his right knee.
The former-Arsenal man, 25, was initially ruled out for a year but his ferocious work-ethic has helped him eat into that window and get ahead of schedule.
Boss Jurgen Klopp said: “He’s in a very good way, but will still take time.
“When I see him running and moving with the ball it looks really good, promising and close to a return. He’s had so long out. What a situation. But we’ll be fine.
“He looks without problems at the moment and he can work on his fitness issues that he's got after a long time out. I think we will see him this season.”
Ahead of the weekend’s clash with Crystal Palace, the Kop boss has given updates on a number of his walking wounded, including hard man Trent Alexander Arnold.
The England defender was injured in the warm-up to the Brighton match at the weekend but played the entire match, battering through the pain barrier, leaving his boss gushing.
Klopp explained: “Gini (Wijnaldum) and Trent (Alexander-Arnold), we will decide day by day. They both played 90 minutes at Brighton and the whole world saw what happened to Trent. What a boy!
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“We heard afterwards he had pain but it was what happened before the game. We will see with both for sure. I don’t want to close any doors before someone tells me I have to.
“Dejan (Lovren) is much better than he was but that needs time. He’ll be involved against Leicester.
dam (Lallana) trained yesterday and the day before. We will wait to see how he reacted. Joe (Gomez) is improving but not ready.”