Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s absence will be keenly felt by both club and country.
Liverpool and England midfielder Alex Oxlade Chamberlain (C) is carried off the pitch (Photo: AFP)
England and Liverpool fans’ worst fears were realised on Wednesday as the Reds announced that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain would be missing the 2018 FIFA World Cup with a knee injury he suffered during his side’s 5-2 UEFA Champions League win over Roma.
“Liverpool FC can confirm Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s 2017-18 season is over for both club and country due to a knee ligament injury sustained against AS Roma on Tuesday evening,” a club statement read.
Oxlade-Chamberlain suffered the knee injury early on in Tuesday’s clash with the Giallorossi as he slide-tackled wing-back Aleksandar Kolarov.
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While he did manage to execute a perfect tackle, the in-form midfielder appeared to catch his own knee and crumbled in a heap immediately.
Despite receiving immediate attention from Liverpool physios, he was unable to carry on and Georginio Wijnaldum replaced him in the 18th minute itself.
“The extent of the injury means Oxlade-Chamberlain is set to miss the remainder of the campaign for Liverpool, as well as the World Cup finals in Russia with England,” the Merseyside outfit confirmed.
Jurgen Klopp, in his post-match interviews, had admitted the injury looked like a bad one but could not reveal the true extent of the issue until the necessary scans were completed.
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“The 24-year-old was assessed by the club’s medical team at Melwood on Wednesday morning and no specific timescale is being placed upon his return to action at this stage.”
“However, Oxlade-Chamberlain will now begin a rehabilitation programme to enable him to reach full fitness again as soon as possible, returning to action next season,” the club added.
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The Reds have three Premier League games left in the season and potentially two UEFA Champions League ties (the second leg of the semi-final and the final) but Oxlade-Chamberlain’s absence will probably be more keenly felt at this summer’s World Cup by the England squad.
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