“Like having a new player” – Phil Thompson believes this injured star’s return would be a huge boost for Liverpool

Phil Thompson believes Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s return would be like a new signing for Liverpoo this season.

The midfielder injured his knee in the Champions League semi-final clash against AS Roma last season and has not played since.

The original diagnosis, according to the Metro, saw Oxlade-Chamberlain miss the entire season. However, the Englishman has recently returned to training and Klopp suggested the Ox could play at some point this season.

Thompson believed the Englishman would provide Liverpool with something extra and said (h/t Metro):

“It would be an absolutely brilliant addition and it would be like having a new player.”

The former Red added that going through this phase was difficult as players have to sit out for a long time, however, he added that the Ox’s return would provide a “buzz” to the other Liverpool stars.

Thompson claimed the Ox would provide goals to our midfield that doesn’t seem to score enough:

“We’ve got a very good midfield who don’t get as many goals as they should do but that’s where Oxlade-Chamberlain comes in.”

The former Arsenal man struggled a bit when he signed for us, but came up big in the second half of last season.

The former Liverpool star believed Ox would add something more to our midfield once he returns.

“He can dominate that drive from midfield, that powerful shot and the assists that he can bring. These are all assets that will help that midfield three that we’ve seen in the bigger games.”

The Reds hold a four-point lead over Manchester City in the Premier League, and the Ox’s return would be a fantastic sight.

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The 25-year-old could be the X-Factor in our title race, and it will be interesting to see how his rehab progresses as the weeks go by.