Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain included in Liverpool’s Champions League squad as he continues recovery from horrific knee injury
- Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been included in Liverpool’s squad for Europe
- He’s given Reds a lift by being able to play in Champions League when he’s ready
- The midfielder is continuing to recover from horrific knee injury from April 2018
- Liverpool also revealed that Ki-Jana Hoever and Ben Woodburn are in the squad
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been included in Liverpool’s Champions League squad for the knockout rounds as he continues to recover from a horrific knee injury.
It had initially been indicated that the 25-year-old would require 12 months on the sidelines to recover but he has worked relentlessly and was able to get back out on the grass to step up his work in December.
And now the England international has given the Reds a lift by being able to play in the European competition when he is ready to return.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (right) has been included in Liverpool’s Champions League squad
The explosive midfielder has been out since April 2018 after suffering ruptures to his cruciate, medial and lateral ligaments in his right knee during the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Roma. The injury was further complicated as he damaged tendons in his hamstring.
Oxlade-Chamberlain was ‘ahead of schedule’ according to manager Jurgen Klopp and said before his side’s win over Crystal Palace in January that a return may not be too far away.
He had become a big figure in Liverpool’s dressing room following his £35million move from Arsenal in August 2017. He was in peak form when he suffered the devastating blow that ruled him out of the Champions League final and World Cup.
Explosive midfielder has been out since April 2018 after suffering ruptures to knee ligaments
Liverpool also revealed on Tuesday that 17-year-old defender Ki-Jana Hoever, who made his debut against Wolves in the FA Cup third round last month, and Ben Woodburn, who returned to the club following a loan spell at Sheffield United, have also been named in the squad for the latter stages of the competition.
The Reds face Bayern Munich in the last 16 of the Champions League. The first leg at Anfield takes place on February 19 while the reverse fixture will be played on March 13.
Liverpool were beaten 3-1 by Real Madrid in the Champions League final in Kiev last season.
He’s given Reds a lift by being able to play in European competition when he is ready to return