Liverpool (AFP) – Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, was named on the bench for Friday’s crucial Premier League game against Huddersfield after returning from a year out with a knee injury.
Oxlade-Chamberlain had been sidelined for a year and two days since sustaining serious ligament damage in the Champions League semi-finals against Roma last April.
After a lengthy and gruelling rehabilitation, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s first comeback game, playing for Liverpool’s Under 23s in Derby, was cut short due to a hamstring issue.
But the 25-year-old England international has been back in training recently and Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp decided to include him among the substitutes for relegated Huddersfield’s visit to Anfield.
Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino was a surprise absentee with a minor injury, giving Daniel Sturridge his first start since the FA Cup defeat to Wolves on January 7.
“Yesterday after training he mentioned a little muscle issue,” Klopp told Sky Sports.
“We assess it obviously. It’s not a big thing but it was enough to leave him out today, that’s all.”
Firmino now faces a race to recover in time for next Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg at Barcelona.
Reds defender Virgil van Dijk made his 50th Premier League appearance, while, it was Mohamed Salah’s 100th appearance for Liverpool in all competitions.
