Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain ruled out of World Cup, remainder of Liverpool’s season

The player was injured during Liverpool's Champions League tie against Roma

Wayne Farry

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain ruled out of World Cup, remainder of Liverpool’s season

It’s a cruel blow for the midfielder.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been ruled out of the World Cup and the remainder of Liverpool’s season after suffering a serious knee injury during Liverpool’s Champions League semi-final first leg tie against Roma on Tuesday night.

The 24-year-old has enjoyed a successful season since moving to Anfield from Arsenal in the summer, becoming an integral member of Jurgen Klopp’s exciting side after a slow start to his career on Merseyside.

Having begun the campaign as an outside bet for even a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad, Oxlade-Chamblerain’s displays had seen him become a near-definite inclusion, and potential starter.

While it has been said that “no specific timescale is being placed upon his return to action”, the midfielder’s injury is expected to at least rule him out beyond June.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will play no further part in #LFC’s season and is ruled out of the World Cup with the midfielder suffering knee ligament damage. 'No specific timescale is being placed upon his return to action' pic.twitter.com/5pmhM8kfvd

— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) April 25, 2018

The injury represents yet further tournament heartache for the former Southampton player, who missed Euro 2016 after suffering an injury in a Champions League tie against Barcelona.

The news was greeted with enormous disappointment by Liverpool fans, who expressed sadness at a player coming into the form of his life being denied the chance to represent his country at the highest level.