Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been included in Liverpool’s Champions League squad for the rest of the campaign but isn’t expected to return to action for several weeks yet.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has not played a game this season after suffering knee ligament damage in last April’s Champions League semi-final win over Roma.
The England midfielder IS set to make his comeback this term and has made the Reds’ European ranks for the upcoming knockout stages.
Despite that, Liverpool will continue to be cautious about the 25-year-old’s return date.
What games has he missed?
Oxlade-Chamberlain missed Liverpool’s final five games last season, including their Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.
He had to sit out of last summer’s World Cup and hasn’t featured at all this term.
When could he be back?
Oxlade-Chamberlain was originally ruled out for the whole campaign but returned to training ahead of schedule recently.
While his inclusion in their Champions League squad is good news, Liverpool will continue to be mindful about rushing him back too soon.
The Anfield giants are hopeful he’ll return in April and will be able to contribute in some key games at the end of the season.
He will not face Bayern Munich in their upcoming last-16 tie but could return if Liverpool go deep into the competition.
The Reds are, of course, still firmly in the Premier League title race and Oxlade-Chamberlain could be back for their final few top-flight fixtures.
What has Jurgen Klopp said?
Speaking about Oxlade Chamberlain’s return to training last month, Klopp said: “[It’s the] best news. He started going on the pitch and from the first step he looked completely normal.
“Sometimes when players are coming back from injury and start running, you see them not really limping, but it’s not the picture you had in your mind.
“With Ox, from the first step, it looked like Ox. It was really nice, and then you had to wait for the reaction – there was no reaction, which is even nicer.
“We are usually not that excited about something like this, a lot of things can happen after being out for a long time, but it looks positive and it’s just nice to have him around with a smile on his face. He’s obviously happy and we are very happy with the improvement.
“Of course he needs time. If you look at the little sessions he does outside it looks like he could play tomorrow but that’s not possible, there’s a long time to go.
“It’s a boost for the whole dressing room. It’s a surprise, he’s ahead of schedule. We won’t push him too much, but we don’t want to hold him back. We will see.
“If he makes further steps like he did in the last few weeks, he can play Premier League football this season.”