Klopp: Oxlade-Chamberlain suffered 'really bad injury' vs. Roma
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could face a race to be fit for the World Cup after suffering a seemingly serious injury Tuesday against Roma.
"Oxlade, it's probably a really bad injury," Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said following the 5-2 win in the Champions League semi-final first leg. "If we can say that already before the scan that's never good news, so that means for us it's a massive blow, of course."
Klopp seemed to suggest Oxlade-Chamberlain's season is over, but official word won't arrive until the 24-year-old undergoes a further examination.
Klopp fears Oxlade-Chamberlain’s season is over and admits medical staff fear it’s a bad injury. Heartbreaking if it ends his World Cup, sounds like it will. “It looks serious, it’s why I am not happy as I might be.”
— John Cross (@johncrossmirror) April 24, 2018
The English midfielder required a stretcher following an innocuous collision with Aleksandar Kolarov in the 17th minute. He was grimacing in pain as Liverpool's medical staff treated his right leg on the sidelines.
If Oxlade-Chamberlain cannot return in time for next Wednesday's reverse fixture in Rome, Georginio Wijnaldum is likely to feature in Klopp's three-man midfield.
Gareth Southgate will also keep an eye on the former Arsenal man's status. With England's World Cup starting in just 55 days, any significant injury would put Oxlade-Chamberlain's participation in Russia in doubt.