Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will miss this summer’s FIFA World Cup in Russia following the serious knee injury he sustained in the Reds’ UEFA Champions League (UCL) semifinal 1st leg clash with AS Roma at Anfield on Tuesday night.
The extent of his injury was confirmed via a Liverpool statement on Wednesday.
The club statement read: “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.
“The midfielder was forced from the field after 18 minutes of the Reds’ 5-2 victory in the Champions League semi-final first leg at Anfield after picking up the issue during an attempted challenge.
“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 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 statement concluded.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been in very good for Liverpool since his £35m move from Arsenal last summer until he was stretchered off in the 18th minute of the aforementioned encounter.
He has scored five goals and provided eight more in 46 appearances for the Reds this season.
While speaking via Twitter about the unfortunate news, The former Southampton Academy graduate said he was “absolutely devastated” by the news.
He wrote on Twitter: ”Gutted I won’t be able to play any further part now in our Champions League run for Liverpool, and also the World Cup with England.
“But now it’s all about supporting the boys and getting behind them. I know we have what it takes to do something special in this tournament.
“I’m going to give everything I have to make sure I’m back as quickly as possible.
“However, this all pales in comparison to how the family of the Liverpool fan badly hurt before last night’s game must be feeling. My thoughts are with him and his loved ones.
“Thanks for all your kind words, messages and support. I’ll see you soon.”
His injury leaves Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp with few options in midfield ahead of the second leg against Roma on Wednesday.
Fellow midfielders Emre Can and Adam Lallana are also sidelined, and Klopp said: “We have still a few very important games to go and the squad doesn’t get bigger in the moment, so we obviously need to be creative in the next few games.”
