Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Improving but Return Not Imminent

The midfielder was included in the new Champions League squad but likely won’t play until April.

News that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had been included in Liverpool’s squad for the Champions League knockout rounds was met with some celebration by fans, who took it—along with the player being back in solo training—as a sign his return was near.

However, while the player is still on track to be back before the end of the season, he isn’t quite ready to take part and expectations for his imminent involvement should be dialled back to at least April according to The Telegraph’s Chris Bascombe.

On the whole, though, the news remains relatively good and about in line with the best case scenario predictions when it first became clear Oxlade-Chamberlain would miss much of the 2018-19 season—with the worst case being missing the entirety of it.

It does mean that the midfielder won’t be expected to play any role against Bayern Munich in the Round of 16, with matches set for the 19th of February and 13th of March. But if Liverpool make it past the Bundesliga giants, he may have a part to play.

He could also prove invaluable late in the league campaign, with games against Spurs and Chelsea set for around the time of his likely return. In other injury news, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson could both be fit to face Bournemouth on Saturday.

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com