Jurgen Klopp: Injured Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Begin Full Training in February

By Joshua Walters

Jurgen Klopp has given an update on the recovery level of Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and says the England international may resume full training in February and return to action in March.

Oxlade-Chamberlain missed the Champions League final and England’s World Cup campaign because of an injury sustained against Roma on 24 April 2018. 

It was confirmed then that the 24-year-old sustained multiple ligament damages following which he was ruled out of action for up to 12 months.

The Anfield outfit confirmed in July the offensive middleman will miss a "vast majority" of the ongoing 2018/19 campaign, and Klopp revealed on Friday the payer is up for a return early next year.

"He started going on the pitch and from the first step it looked completely normal. There was no reaction. It is the best news,” said the Liverpool manager at the press conference ahead of the Premier League clash with Arsenal on Saturday.

"There's no pressure on him, but it looks like February, maybe, he is back on normal training. That gives us hope he will be back this season." 

The Premier League leaders meet Arsenal without their talisman James Milner, who is nursing a hamstring injury, and Klopp also gave a positive update on the player. 

"Milner is ahead of schedule," added Klopp. "He had a little bit with the muscle, he will not be available tomorrow, but hopefully the game after that."

Speaking on the game itself, Klopp said he expected the usual tough challenge from Unai Emery’s Gunners.

"To win against Arsenal was always difficult. It will not be easy in the future and will not be easy tomorrow. We have to play our best football and we need again a proper atmosphere."