Phil Thompson believes that the return of Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from injury will be a like a new signing for the team.
The 25-year-old has been out-of-action since April last year after he ruptured ligament in the Reds’ first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Roma, but Jurgen Klopp is now hopeful that he will make a return before the season ends.
The Sky Sports pundit says that having the speedster back will be an welcome boost to the team, as it will be like having a new signing.
“It would be an absolutely brilliant addition and it would be like having a new player. It’s so difficult. As players, you go through these turmoils, and it is a turmoil to you when you have to sit out,” he told Sky Sports.
“It will give the players a buzz to see him coming back and he will be a massive asset if he can get back for the run-in. We’ve got a very good midfield who don’t get as many goals as they should do but that’s where Oxlade-Chamberlain comes in.
“He can dominate that drive from midfield, that powerful shot and the assists that he can bring. These are all assets that will help that midfield three that we’ve seen in the bigger games.”
OPINION
Liverpool have no doubt missed the impact that Oxlade-Chamberlain brings to the side, even if they are already in a dominant position at the top of the Premier League. Having been sidelined for so long, welcoming him back into the team would be like a new signing, just as Thompson has pointed out. He has the ability to have a major influence on games due to his pace and passing capabilites, and the fans will no doubt welcome his eventual return with open arms. Oxlade-Chamberlain is just the boost Liverpool need to widen the gap between themselves and Manchester City in second, and he could even prove to be the difference between the two sides. Competition for places in the midfield is obviously fierce due the quality of the likes of James Milner and Naby Keita, and he will no doubt find it hard at first to nail down a spot. However, if he does make a return later this season, some of his teammates will be sweating about their place in the starting XI being compromised.
