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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on why Fabinho’s return from injury can be a ‘massive lift’ for Liverpool

Fabinho’s return puts Oxlade-Chamberlain’s place in the team in jeopardy, but the team’s needs come first for the Englishman

Karl Matchett
Sunday 19 January 2020 14:52 GMT
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Jurgen Klopp lost for words after Liverpool's Club World Cup win

Liverpool have received several injury boosts over the past week or so, with three players returning to full fitness.

Joel Matip and Xherdan Shaqiri have both returned after spells on the sidelines, joining Fabinho in closing in on a return to action.

Meanwhile, Dejan Lovren is back out on the training pitch too, while both Naby Keita and James Milner are scheduled to return next week.

After a period where Jurgen Klopp has had to juggle limited fit bodies, the prospect of having a full squad again naturally means some players will have to miss out from the starting lineup at times.

But Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has hailed Fabinho’s impending return as crucial, highlighting the vital role the Brazilian has played this season.

“It’s a massive lift for us,” Oxlade-Chamberlain told the club website. “He is a crucial part of this team and he has proved ever since he has been here how good he is.

“Especially at the start of this season, up until unfortunately he got injured, he was absolutely brilliant – really pivotal in our team and our success.

“And someone that every week you could rely on to put in a really, really good performance.

“You see in glimpses how good he can be going forward; his passing, he often provides chances with balls over the top, the goal against Man City.

“He can really add in that department. Defensively, he has been brilliant. He’s a massive lift for us.”

Fabinho celebrates for Liverpool

While Fabinho coming back into the lineup means someone has to miss out, the fact that Liverpool have had multiple injury issues this season means chances have been there for every player regardless.

Oxlade-Chamberlain points to the way players have had to adapt to different roles, or come in from being regular bench options, to impress and keep the Reds top of the Premier League table.

“I’m really proud of the team. [Jordan Henderson] Hendo was playing more of an advanced role and since Fab got injured he has dropped back into that ‘six’ [position] and been unbelievable, as reliable as ever and driving us forward.

“In other moments, you lose a really important player like Fab – or Joel [Matip] in the same case, with Joe [Gomez] coming in – you lose a big player like that and you maybe start seeing a few slip-ups here and there, but the boys have all put in a really good shift, the midfield boys especially.

“We have made sure the loss of Fab didn’t affect us too much. But, of course, it’s a massive boost for us now to have him back.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain played an hour last weekend

Liverpool’s No. 15 will be hoping to keep his place in Klopp’s lineup at Anfield on Sunday, having started against Tottenham last time out.

The game against Man United, quite aside from being against one of Liverpool’s biggest rivals, also marks the chance to extend their lead at the top – and beat the only team to have taken points off them in the Premier League this season.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has five goals this season, though only one has come in league play.

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