Oxlade-Chamberlain plays in behind-closed-doors friendly
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a step closer to making his eagerly-awaited Liverpool first-team return after playing in a behind closed doors friendly at Melwood.
The Reds midfielder, who has spent the past year battling back to fitness after suffering a serious knee injury, got around an hour under his belt in Tuesday's game against Bury.
That's the longest Oxlade-Chamberlain has played since he was stretchered off in the Champions League semi-final first leg against Roma last April.
The 25-year-old made his comeback for Liverpool Under-23s against Derby County on March 8 but was substituted after 40 minutes due to discomfort in his hamstring.
That issue has since cleared up and four-and-a-half weeks on Oxlade-Chamberlain was given the green light to get more game time under his belt.
Jurgen Klopp has vowed to keep the England international “in the shadow” until he's ready to take his place in a first-team matchday squad.
Rhian Brewster also featured in Tuesday's behind closed doors game against Bury. The 19-year-old striker has his sights set on a senior debut after recovering from surgery on both his knee and ankle.
Joe Gomez was set to get a run out after four months on the sidelines with a broken leg but was withdrawn after Alberto Moreno was ruled out of the Champions League quarter-final first leg with Porto.
As a result Gomez was named among the subs – the first time he's been named in a matchday squad since early December.
Source: Liverpool Echo
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