A gutted, injured Oxlade-chamberlain watched last year’s final on crutches... now he’s flying with his sights set on Tottenham

good for me as well. I’ve not been able to get loads of minutes, but I am happy to just come back.”

Even if the England star, who suffered a serious knee injury in the semi-final against Roma last year (below, left), is unlikely to start against Spurs on June 1, he is guaranteed a place on the bench.

That seemed impossible at the start of the season, with medics saying it would be the summer before he was fit.

Yet he defied those predictions to make two appearances as sub in the closing weeks of the season.

“It’s really exciting to be in and around the team and in contention to play some part in the final,” Oxlade-chamberlain (in training yesterday, left) said.

“After a year out it’s tough to keep up with these boys and the intensity they train at but just to be involved is amazing.

“We have a great bunch of lads with the spirit that has got us through to where we are today. The team spirit keeps building so hopefully there is something special for this group of lads in the final. Hopefully we can pull something off and make some special memories.”

Oxlade-chamberlain is not the only one who has a chance of a final dream.

Roberto Firmino’s (left) season seemed over when he endured a muscle tear that ruled him out of Liverpool’s last three fixtures.

But he has been building up fitness all week in Marbella and was given the allclear to train at full tilt yesterday. If there is no reaction, then he will be pencilled in to start the final.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said: “Bobby looks really good and he is now part of training. But of course we are still careful and want to make sure nothing happens.”

But Klopp had some bad news on Naby Keita (above), with the midfielder’s return to fitness almost certainly coming too late to feature in the final next weekend.