Ox heartbreak Midfielder out for whole season
Liverpool midfielder injured knee in April Klopp unlikely to revive interest in Lyon’s Fekir
Alex Oxlade-chamberlain is expected to miss the entire Premier League season as he continues his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury.
The Liverpool midfielder sustained multiple ligament damage in the Champions League semi-final first leg against Roma at Anfield in April. He was injured after a sliding tackle on Roma’s Aleksandar Kolarov and underwent surgery.
Having refused to offer a timescale for recovery when the injury was sustained, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has now confirmed he is prepared for the 24-year-old’s lengthy absence, suggesting any competitive return during the 2018-19 season would be a “bonus”.
It is a shattering revelation for a player who missed the Champions League final and the World Cup. Klopp said Oxlade-chamberlain always knew the severity of the injury but wanted it kept private initially to avoid a downbeat mood at the climax of last season when his team-mates were competing for the Champions League.
“It is typical of Ox that he didn’t want the news to overshadow the end of the season and, to be quite honest, we thought we could wait and tell people at an appropriate time,” said Klopp.
“It feels like now is an appropriate time to tell people that, for Ox, this coming season will be about focusing on recovery and rehab. We have known this from pretty much the day after he got the injury and after the successful surgery, we were sure of it.
“There has been no change, no setback – it’s exactly on the schedule we expected and planned for. The new information is that we’re now giving more detail publicly.
“His surgery – which he had on the day of our second leg in Rome – has been completely successful and his recovery has started superbly well.
“But the truth of the matter is that we are preparing this season knowing he will not be with us on the pitch for competitive matches for the majority of it. If we do see him this season it will be a bonus.”
Liverpool’s transfer plans have been proceeding accordingly, Klopp’s purchase of two midfielders – Naby Keita and Fabinho – and attacker Xherdan Shaqiri from Stoke City compensating for Oxladechamberlain’s absence.
There are no plans to add another short-term replacement, with captain Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Adam Lallana and Georginio Wijnaldum ensuring there are still plenty of midfield options.
Oxlade-chamberlain moved to Anfield from Arsenal last August for £35million and, once settled, made himself a crowd favourite – demonstrating the potential many felt unfulfilled at the Emirates.
He struck two stunning goals against Manchester City in the Premier League and Champions League, and was certain to have started the final but for his injury. Oxlade-chamberlain would also most likely have been a starter for Gareth Southgate’s England side in Russia.
At the time of his operation, Oxlade-chamberlain spoke of his devastation as he was resigned to a prolonged spell on the sidelines.
The disclosure about Oxladechamberlain came on an otherwise encouraging day at Anfield with goalkeeper Alisson close to joining from Roma.
Klopp will declare himself happy with Liverpool’s transfer business, although he has not yet filled the No 10 jersey vacated by Philippe Coutinho in January. It is conceivable he will not do so in this window.
Liverpool ended interest in France’s Nabil Fekir before the World Cup having agreed a fee with Lyon, and despite several erroneous reports since have shown no inclination to revive the deal.
Fekir’s move broke down after a medical. Nothing has changed since, with suggestions Liverpool wanted to restructure transfer payments incorrect.