This December saw Liverpool complete the international treble in Qatar. The Reds lifted the Club World Cup after defeating Flamengo, adding to the Champions League and Super Cup trophies lifted in the summer. There was a downside to the win in Qatar: an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain injury that looks to be pretty serious.
After 75 minutes of the final with Flamengo we saw The Ox limp off with an ankle injury, he was later seen sporting a moon boot and hopping around on crutches – causing intense worry for Kopites.
At the club’s pre-match press conference, broadcast live on the club’s official site, the boss was asked about the fitness of the midfielder, the gaffer replied:
“With Oxlade, the ankle, [is as] we probably expected. You have three ligaments on the outside of the ankle, one of them is damaged and now we have to see how quick we can fix that. I don’t know exactly. I did the injury myself but it was years ago! It can take a while or it can be quicker, we have to see. But no chance for Thursday, no chance this year – Oxlade will not play anymore, that’s clear. We have to see how quick it can settle.”
What RTK has to say
The Oxlade-Chamberlain injury couldn’t have come at a better time – due to the ascendancy of Naby Keita and the arrival of Takumi Minamino – but this is devastating news for The Ox.
After missing a year with a nasty injury picked up in the Champions League against Roma, the England midfielder has returned to the side in bright form, netting three goals in Europe so far this season.
With the Englishman set to be out of action until the New Year, Naby Keita will be looking to cement his place as the club’s first choice attacking midfielder.
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