Klopp: Oxlade-Chamberlain could return as early as February

Liverpool's biggest winter reinforcement may ultimately come from within.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been sidelined since April after tearing ligaments in his right knee, forcing him to miss the World Cup with England over the summer. Though he was initially expected to miss the entire 2018-19 season due to the injury, the versatile Liverpool midfielder shocked many on Monday when he posted a photo of himself running unassisted in training.

On Friday, Reds manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed Oxlade-Chamberlain's recovery appears ahead of schedule, with a return as early as February now a possibility.

"With Ox, from the first step it looked like Ox and that was really nice. Then we had to wait for the reaction - and there was no reaction, which is even nicer," Klopp said, via The Guardian's Paul Wilson. "No pressure put on him, but it looks like he could maybe be back in normal training in late February - maybe, I am not sure, maybe March.

"I don't want to pre-empt the medical department but we have hope he will be back this season."

Oxlade-Chamberlain last played for Liverpool on April 24, a 5-2 win over Roma in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals. The former Arsenal player injured himself at the 18-minute mark as he made a tackle on Roma defender Alexsandar Kolarov.

In 46 appearances across all competitions last season for the Reds, Oxlade-Chamberlain scored five goals and added eight assists.