Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is set to make his long-awaited return to action with the Reds U23s on Friday night, according to the Daily Mirror.
The England international, on a reported £120,000-per-week at the club [Source: Spotrac], has been out injured for almost 11 months after rupturing his knee ligaments against Roma in the Champions League last April.
The former Arsenal man is expected to face off against Derby County’s second string on Friday, with manager Jurgen Klopp feeling that the emotional intensity of Monday night’s mini derby with Everton isn’t worth the risk for Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The news is a massive boost for Liverpool and their Premier League title challenge, with Klopp’s team having severely missed the 25-year-old this season.
OPINION
There is no underestimating how big of a deal this is for Liverpool. Oxlade-Chamberlain looked incredible for the Reds last campaign, particularly in the second half of the season, and the team haven’t quite looked as fluid offensively without him this time around. In fact, the one thing this Liverpool side have been missing is creativity and goals from midfield. Oxlade-Chamberlain brings that, he demonstrated that last term. Obviously he’s not back to playing for the first team just yet, but this is the first big step in his comeback from a horrific injury. It’s no exaggeration to say that Oxlade-Chamberlain could hold the key to Liverpool’s title challenge. He is the dynamic force the team have been missing in midfield and is someone who can make a real difference for Klopp’s team down the stretch. This is absolutely huge for Liverpool and the destiny of their season.
