MX23RW : Tuesday, April 16 11:29:35| >> :60:2616:2616:
[monks data]
Attendance: 63,272
Spurs logo
Champions League | Final
Jun 1, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
Liverpool logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-1)
Salah (2' pen.), Origi (87')

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain hoping to play part in "amazing" Champions League final

Oxlade-Chamberlain hoping to play part in
© Reuters
The 25-year-old missed last year's showpiece due to injury.

Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is dreaming of playing a part in the Champions League final after injury denied him a role 12 months ago.

Among the saddest sights following the 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in Kiev was the England international hopping around the running track of Olympiyski Stadium on crutches trying to keep up with his team-mates as they acknowledged the support of fans.

Oxlade-Chamberlain sustained a serious knee injury in the semi-final first leg against Roma, a problem which ruled him out of the clash with Madrid a month later and sidelined him for 12 months in total.

Having made his comeback in two substitute appearances amounting to just 20 minutes the 25-year-old is hoping he gets to make up for missing out last year.

He will, at least, be guaranteed a place on the bench for the clash against Tottenham on June 1 in the Wanda Metropolitano as a change in regulations means clubs can name 12 substitutes for UEFA's showpiece finals.

"I wasn't able to get loads of minutes (on his return) but I was happy to just come back," he told the club's official website.

"Dreams are made of maybe having some part to play in Madrid, but it's not about me – it's about making sure whoever is on the pitch does the job for the club and for the team.

"If I can be involved, that would be amazing, but just to be around it and be fit and healthy again is good for me as well at the minute.

"At times it's been a little bit frustrating as well because you feel you are back and to then keep up with these boys after the long season they've had and the intensity they train at, coming back from a year (out) it's not so easy and you pick up little things along the way.

"It's been another little journey for me the last part, but it's been really exciting to be in and around the team and in contention to maybe have some part in the final, but just to be involved is amazing for me.

"After 'crutching' my way around the pitch last year, it's nice to be in this situation!"

Oxlade-Chamberlain has been working on sharpening up his fitness at the squad's training camp in Marbella.

Manager Jurgen Klopp, conscious his players will have had a three-week gap of competitive football by the time the final comes around, is trying to organise a match out in Spain for his players.

However, the difficulty he has is that most teams are either now on their summer breaks or preparing for the final week of their season so options are limited.

But, nevertheless, the week-long training break in the sun is helping preparations.

Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers – Premier League – Anfield
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is wary of players having too much time off before the final (Peter Byrne/PA)

"Obviously the final is going to be in Madrid, so a lot warmer than maybe an evening game in England that we're used to so, we've come out here to try to get used to that ," added Oxlade-Chamberlain.

"Coming out here and making it a little bit tougher is obviously really helpful. The boys have approached it really well, as they have done all season.

"The gaffer is shouting and pushing us to stay right on top of everything – and that's what we need. We've got one last push now and everyone looks really good.

"Hopefully we can pull something off and make some special memories and history."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Carl Markham, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'eeccac41-61c7-4e31-97fc-ff57e2e85e5f');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:uk,paservice:sport:world');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Oxlade-Chamberlain dreams of Champions League final role'});

ID:360050: cacheID:360050:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:15846:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Marco Asensio in action for Real Madrid on September 29, 2018
Read Next:
Asensio hints at Real Madrid stay amid Liverpool links
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
QBayern651016
QCopenhagen62228
3Galatasaray61235
4Man Utd61144

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
QArsenal641113
QPSV62319
3Lens62228
4Sevilla60242

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
QReal Madrid660018
QNapoli631210
3Braga61144
4Union Berlin60242

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
QReal Sociedad633012
QInter Milan633012
3Benfica61144
4Salzburg61144

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
QAtletico642014
QLazio631210
3Feyenoord62046
4Celtic61144

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
QDortmund632111
QPSG62228
3AC Milan62228
4Newcastle61235

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
QMan City660018
QRB Leipzig640212
3Young Boys61144
4Red Star60151

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
QBarcelona640212
QPorto640212
3Shakhtar63039
4Antwerp61053


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!