Liverpool injury boost as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain added to Champions League squad

Oxlade-Chamberlain ruptured ligaments in his right knee in the first leg of Liverpool’s semi-final against Roma last season and has been absent ever since

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been added to Liverpool’s Champions League squad in news that will come as a major boost for the club as it attempts to maintain its pursuit of domestic and European glory.

Oxlade-Chamberlain ruptured ligaments in his right knee in the first leg of Liverpool’s semi-final against Roma last season and has been absent ever since.

Initial fears were raised that the England international could miss the entire 2018/19 season but manager Jurgen Klopp hinted in December that Oxlade-Chamberlain could return as early as February.

Having stepped up his recovery at a warm-weather training camp in the Middle East last month, it appears the midfielder is now targeting a comeback for the second half of the current campaign.

The 25-year-old could push for inclusion in the Liverpool squad that travels to Germany for the side’s second leg, last-16 tie against Bayern Munich, which takes place on 13 March.

Oxlade-Chamberlain’s return will be welcomed by a squad that has been struck down with a number of injuries in recent weeks.

The Reds are set to be without Joe Gomez for a number of weeks after he underwent surgery on a leg break on Monday.

Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jordan Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum and Dejan Lovren all missed yesterday’s 1-1 draw with West Ham due to fitness issues.