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After a lengthy spell on the sideline it appears that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is edging close to a return to Liverpool’s senior squad.
What’s the word?
The England international was a revelation last season following his move from Arsenal, but a cruel injury blow saw him ruled out of both the Champions League final and the World Cup.
He was initially expected to miss the entirety of the 2018/19 campaign, with the severity of the injury leaving him sidelined for more than a year.
However, according to a report from Sky Sports, Oxlade-Chamberlain could feature for Liverpool’s U23 side on Friday evening when they face Derby County away from home.
Naturally, the impulse reaction amongst the supporters is one of sheer delight and excitement ahead of a potentially priceless boost during the final months of the season, but that feeling is misplaced.
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Too soon for Ox to make an impact
The lack of goals being provided from Liverpool’s midfield players to supplement the front-three has been cited as one of the main reasons behind their slump in recent weeks.
Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Naby Keita and Georginio Wijnaldum are relatively goal-shy despite their obvious technical quality, but the returning 25-year-old midfielder offers a fresh dynamic with genuine impetus to drive the team forward.
On his day Oxlade-Chamberlain, valued at £36 million by Transfermarkt, is one of the most devastating box-to-box midfielders in the Premier League, but he is unlikely to rediscover his mojo until next season after such an extended spell on the sidelines.
One only needs to take a quick look back to the start of his career on Merseyside to appreciate how difficult it can be to integrate into an established side. After suffering with such a massive injury problem his transition back into senior football is likely to be defined by inconsistency.
With that in mind, Liverpool cannot expect fireworks from the long-term absentee until next season.