Despite not featuring for the Merseysiders this season, Liverpool FC boss Jurgen Klopp is confident that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remains on track to recapture his previous streak of form as the English international nears his return to the first-team fold at Anfield.
Injured since the Reds’ pre-season training camp in Austria earlier year, Chamberlain’s long-term layoff has led to many speculating over his future in the Liverpool FC colours, with the teenage sensation Curtis Jones grabbing a first-team spot in the former’s continued absence.
However, Klopp, in his pre-match interview was defiant over the midfielder’s ability to bounce back from yet another long-term injury issue curtailing his game-time, as the German coach voiced admiration for the ex-Arsenal man’s quality on the pitch, and played down talks of Chamberlain’s diminished potential due to recurring injury troubles.
“The moment when Ox joins parts of team training, then everyone gets the benefit,” said the Liverpool FC gaffer, as quoted by Goal.
“If an LFC supporter forgot how good Ox is, then … well, my English is not good enough to explain that. I think we have enough opportunities to watch on social media or YouTube to see!
“I’m just happy that he’s here again; the speed, the technique, the combination, right foot, left foot. He can play different positions, scores goals.
“When he is finally back, and I don’t know if this weekend or next weekend is the case, then it’s a big plus for us.”
“I don’t understand these kind of discussions, to be honest,” he said. “You have to be injured yourself, once in your life, to understand how difficult it is to find everything completely normal and natural after an injury.
“In training, you see Ox’s quality immediately. He’s a difference-maker, you can see that. Yes, how long he can do that in a game depends on his fitness level, and his fitness level depends on the amount of sessions he’s had, the amount of games.
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As Klopp’s men square up next against Fulham on Sunday at the Craven Cottage, there is a slight chance of seeing Chamberlain back in action for the first time this season following the 27-year-old’s return to training on Friday.
