This is terrible.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will miss the entirety of next season with injury, it has been revealed by the Guardian.
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Jurgen Klopp has announced the news to fans, who will be devastated by the blow.
The Englishman tore knee ligaments in the Champions League semi-final first-leg against AS Roma back in April, but is now facing well over a year on the sidelines altogether.
“It feels like now is an appropriate time to tell people that for Ox this coming season will be about focusing on recovery and rehab,” Klopp said.
“We have known this from pretty much the day after he got the injury and after the successful surgery we were sure of it. I hope everyone treats this information responsibly.
“There has been no change, no setback – it’s exactly on the schedule we expected and planned for. The new information is that we’re now giving more detail publicly.
“It is typical of Ox that he didn’t want the news to overshadow the end of the season and, to be quite honest, we thought we could wait and tell people at an appropriate time. His surgery – which he had on the day of our second leg in Rome – has been completely successful and his recovery has started superbly well. But the truth of the matter is that we are preparing this season knowing he will not be with us on the pitch for competitive matches for the majority of it. If we do see him back this season it will be a bonus.
“He is such an outstandingly good person and someone who even when not playing is integral to the heartbeat of Melwood. I cannot wait to have him back with us for matches, but we will wait for him and we will show the patience that is required to make sure he comes back ready to continue where he left off: as one of the most outstanding performers in European football in that moment.”
Klopp’s words are lovely, but they won’t bring back Ox any sooner – and perhaps explain why we’ve signed Fabinho, Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri this summer – three midfielders.
We’ve also clinched the signing of Alisson today (bar a medical) and supporters have been jubilant – but this brings us right back to earth.
At EOTK, we send the 24-year-old all the best in his recovery.
He has the ability and mentality to eventually return and become an integral part of Liverpool’s long-term plan.
This is just a very sad, unfortunate incident. But he can come back stronger.