Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain only recovered from illness the day before the Manchester City match.
The Reds returned to competitive action after the World Cup with arguably the toughest fixture in English football – City at the Etihad.
Liverpool and City locked horns for a place in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
And Oxlade-Chamberlain came on at half-time for only his fifth Reds appearance of the season.
The £125,000-a-week ace played well, playing a key role in the build-up to one of Liverpool’s goals.
He served up a superb pass to release Darwin Nunez down the wing, who duly cut back for Mohamed Salah to score.
Oxlade-Chamberlain also had a good penalty shout waved away after going down under pressure from Nathan Ake in the box.
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
‘Incredible’
Liverpool cult hero Jose Enrique, commentating on BBC Radio 5 Live, loved what he saw from the half-time substitute.
“The pace from Darwin Nunez was unbelievable,” he began (22/12/22, 21:08).
“The finish is the easiest thing, but the best thing is the pass from Oxlade-Chamberlain. Incredible.”
Sadly, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s efforts couldn’t prevent Liverpool from losing 3-2 to City.
Admittedly, the Reds’ defence was found wanting, but there wasn’t too much the £35million man could do about that.
After the match, Klopp provided an update on his players, both before the game and looking ahead to their return to Premier League action.
“Milner is convinced it’s only a little thing but we wanted to make sure it was not getting worse,” he told Sky Sports.
“If it’s a hamstring, I’m not sure.
“Trent was ill. Ox was ill until yesterday. Virgil trained today.
“All the others should be available apart from the long-term injuries. Konate will join us next week.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain may have an uncertain future at Liverpool, but he’s certainly working hard for the cause.
He made himself available to Klopp soon after his illness and gave a great account of himself.
It remains to be seen whether Oxlade-Chamberlain will get a new contract at Anfield. If not, another Premier League side will surely snap him up.