Liverpool star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain set to miss FIFA World Cup

Liverpool star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain set to miss FIFA World Cup

- 24-year-old Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will not be taking part in this year's World Cup after suffering knee ligament injury in Liverpool's 5-2 win over AS Roma in their UCL clash

- As a result, he will also miss the remainder of the ongoing Premier League season as he will start rehab soon in preparations for next season

- The Reds will hope they can progress to the final of the UEFA organised competition by avoiding the same thing that happened to Barcelona in Rome at the quarter final stage

Liverpool attacker Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has joined the list of stars that will not be going to the 2018 FIFA World Cup staging in Russia this summer.

The 24-year-old was stretched out of the Reds 5-2 victory over AS Roma in the 18th minute of their UEFA Champions League first leg encounter at Anfield Stadium on Tuesday, April 24.

Oxlade-Chamberlain got injured while trying to stop Roma’s Aleksander Kolarov from launching an attack against his team – an effort which he succeeded doing but couldn’t complete the match afterwards.

He has now been ruled out of the rest of the season and will not be available for his country by the time the global championship kicks off in June as test results shows that he sustained a knee ligament injury.

Having being assessed by the club’s medical team at Melwood on Wednesday morning, they didn’t give a specific date for 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.

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After finding out the extent of the damage to his leg, the former Arsenal winger said he was disappointed he would miss the mundial in Europe this summer.

But lifted himself up by saying it would be the best time to throw his weight behind the Three Lions to go all out and achieve success in the competition.

“Absolutely devastated to have picked up this injury at such a crucial time in the season,” the midfielder wrote on Instagram.

“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.

“Thank you for all your kind words, messages and support. I’ll see you soon.”

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Meanwhile, Liverpool have confirmed the news, adding that the player will commence rehab as soon as possible to get him ready well enough for the coming season.

“Liverpool FC can confirm Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's 2017-18 season is over for both club and country,” it said.

“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 England international joined Liverpool at the end of last season in a five year deal worth about €38 million from Arsenal after failing to get regular playing time at the Emirates Stadium.

Though he struggled at the beginning of his reign at the club, but improved along the line and became one of Jurgen Klopp’s best men at the club.

In 32 appearances for the Reds, Oxlade-Chamberlain has scored three goals while his contribution to his side’s Champions League progress this year cannot be underestimated.

He spent six years at Arsenal and scored just nine goals in 132 games for the Gunners, while his reign at Southampton was good – after netting nine goals in 36 games.

The attacker broke into the England national team in 2012, and up till date, he has scored six goals in 32 national team fixtures.

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