Liverpool – who are chasing a first league title in 29 years – earned a goalless draw at Old Trafford against Manchester United in their last outing, but despite their arch-rivals being decimated by injuries, they were unable to create any clear cut goalscoring chances. One man who could make a difference in the final third is former Arsenal midfielder, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has been absent since sustaining a horrific knee ligament injury against AS Roma in the UEFA Champions League last season.
But Klopp now has some more good news for fans of the Merseyside club regarding the English midfielder’s comeback, confirming that the Oxlade-Chamberlain is now participating in full training with the senior squad. “Ox is doing 70% of team training,” Klopp said. “He trains full but not as much as the others. Then he leaves a bit early to do something else and the things he needs. Everyone is always looking for a reaction but nothing has happened yet. We have to prepare him for his entire career, not just one particular game. When he’s in training it looks very nice.”
The Liverpool manager also revealed that Lovren will be back in the fold by next week, though he is unlikely to be available for Sunday’s Merseyside derby against Everton. “Dejan is looking good and now starts proper training. He could be ready again after Everton,” he said. An injury crisis recently rocked Liverpool in defence, with manager Jurgen Klopp forced to use James Milner at right back and Brazilian midfielder Fabinho in central defence no thanks to the absence of Virgil van Dijk who served a suspension, as well as injured Dejan Lovren, Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
While Alexander-Arnold has recovered from injury, Klopp revealed some more good news for the Kop, saying that defender Joe Gomez is on course to return to action soon. The Liverpool gaffer stated that the England defender, who formed a good partnership with van Dijk earlier in the season before injuries started to sideline him, could be fully recovered by the time their crucial Premier League clash against Tottenham comes on March 31, as he nears full-fitness after recovering from a fractured leg.
The Englishman has been sidelined since December 5, when he suffered a broken leg during a 3-1 win at Burnley – missing Liverpool’s entire winter period. In his absence, the Reds stormed clear at the top of the Premier League over Christmas, but their form has dipped drastically since the turn of the year. Three wins from nine matches across all competitions has seen Klopp’s side exit the FA Cup and lose their commanding lead in the title race, with Manchester City now just a point behind in second place. “I think after the international break Joe should be okay,” Klopp began, as per the Daily Mirror. “If nobody gets injured before then we’ll have a proper choice. Joe is doing his rehab and looks good, big steps, outside running and all these things.”
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