Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain expected to make Liverpool return in next week

The news will be music to Liverpool fans' ears

Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is expected to make his long-awaited return from a serious knee injury in the next week. The former Arsenal midfielder has been out of action since suffering ruptured knee ligaments in the Champions League semi-final against AS Roma last season. 11 months later the 25-year-old is on the verge of a return to match action, with manager Jurgen Klopp stating that he is now doing "70 percent" of team training. “He trains fully but not as much as the others. Then he leaves a bit early to do something else and the things he needs," said Klopp. “Everyone is always looking for a reaction but nothing has happened yet. We have to prepare him for his entire career, not just one particular game. When he's in training it looks very nice.” According to a report in the Liverpool Echo, he may feature as early as Monday in the Premier League 2 Merseyside derby match between Liverpool and Everton's under-23 sides. After initial question marks over the £35 million fee which brought the England international from the Emirates stadium to Anfield, Oxlade-Chamberlain slowly but surely became a mainstay of Liverpool's team last season. He scored five goals in 42 games before his season was ended. His return will represent a massive boost for Jurgen Klopp's side, who are currently in a neck-and-neck title race with Manchester City. At the time of publication City sit top of the table on 71 points, while Liverpool have 69 points but a game in hand.