Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says his positive character is helping him get through a tough time in his career, following his season-wrecking injury.
After arriving to a mixed reception at Liverpool last summer, the 24-year-old recovered from a tricky start to become a favourite both on and off the pitch.
His likeable personality, effort levels and quality endeared him to the Anfield faithful, while Jurgen Klopp saw him as someone who added an extra dimension to the Reds’ midfield.
After finding a scintillating run of form in the spring, particularly in the Champions League, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s season was cruelly cut short.
The knee injury suffered in the semi-final first leg against Roma will see him miss the rest of the calendar year and it also signalled the end of his World Cup dream for England.
Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com, the midfielder admits it hasn’t been the easiest period in his blossoming career, but says he is a naturally positive individual who will never get too down:
“It’s not an ideal time for me, if I’m being honest.”
“It’s obviously been really tough to miss out at this time of the season, at a time when I was feeling so good and felt like I was really finding my feet at Liverpool.
“I felt I was playing some good stuff, I was playing with a lot of confidence and I was a really enjoying my football, so for it to all come crashing down in one moment, with one tackle, it’s never great – but that’s football.
“As a character I’m positive and I’m trying not to let myself get too down, obviously I’ve got a tough rehab ahead of me and moping around isn’t going to get me through that!”
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s dynamism was a big loss for Liverpool in the Champions League final and the midfield looked far more predictable without him around.
It is going to be some time before we see him back to his best, but his influence will be key when he returns – probably late in the winter.
The former Arsenal man will have even more competition on his hands after the arrival of Naby Keita and Fabinho, which can only be a good thing in terms of squad depth.
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