England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made his long-awaited Liverpool return from a knee injury against Huddersfield.
Oxlade-Chamberlain had been sidelined for a little more than a year with a serious knee injury but was introduced after 72 minutes to a rapturous reception at Anfield on Friday night.
Here Press Association Sport assesses his brief contribution on a blustery night at Anfield.
Role
Oxlade-Chamberlain, out for exactly one year and two days, was named in Liverpool's matchday squad for the first time since sustaining serious knee ligament damage. With the Reds already 4-0 ahead against the relegated Terriers, there was little expectation on the 25-year-old's shoulders. He came on for striker Daniel Sturridge but settled in alongside Naby Keita and Jordan Henderson in midfield.
Effectiveness
He's back. 😍👏 pic.twitter.com/BSHBNpoV5z
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 26, 2019
Given a hero's welcome when he stepped on to the field, Oxlade-Chamberlain almost guaranteed himself a fairytale comeback, collecting the ball from Mohamed Salah and turning deftly on to his left foot. However, Huddersfield goalkeeper Jonas Lossl had come bearing down and saved Oxlade-Chamberlain's shot with his feet, much to the displeasure of those in attendance.
Overall
That proved to be Oxlade-Chamberlain's only significant contribution in his 18-minute cameo although he showed plenty of endeavour, linking up well with Salah in particular, and initially hared around the field.
ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Press Association Sport staff');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '2c58ee7a-8eb4-4659-b062-9a385d265f91');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Oxlade-Chamberlain back after year out as Liverpool thrash Huddersfield'});
