Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain outlines Liverpool ambitions after injury woes

Oxlade-Chamberlain believes his injury woes are well and truly behind him, and adamant this season sees him feeling "sharper, quicker, fitter, stronger."

The Liverpool star has suffered some serious highs and lows in a career at the top level, enduring two serious knee injuries at Anfield which came either side of a glorious title triumph.

Now though, the midfielder wants to make the most of a strong pre-season and the feeling of his best condition in years, to ensure he delivers more trophies and moments of personal glory, before he hangs up the boots.

"It doesn't feel like a new start because it's all been part of the journey, the story," he told the club website.

Oxlade-Chamberlain's Liverpool career has been blighted by injuries

"But I feel like this season's important for me to go and do something really good - hopefully on an individual level and then obviously for the team."

"I feel like I'm at a place where I'm feeling sharper, quicker, fitter, stronger...it's just a chance for me to kick on and put down a really good season of consistent performances and hopefully some good numbers as well in terms of goals, assists."

Oxlade-Chamberlain joined Liverpool from Arsenal during the international break four years ago, and has enjoyed considerable success with the Reds.

But just as he hit perhaps the best form of his life, producing some stirring man of the match displays to inspire Liverpool towards the 2018 Champions League final, he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the semi final against Roma.

That kept him out for an entire year, and despite returning to make more than 40 appearances in the title winning season - and an appearance in the FIFA Club World Cup final - injury struck again that summer.

He didn't return until December 2020, and was frustrated to make just two starts during the rest of the campaign. But now he feels back to his best - and knows he must make the most of it, as he enters the 'senior-pro' stage of his career.

"I don't really think that I've had loads of injuries, but the ones I've had are big and kept me out for long spells, which sometimes makes people think I'm always injured. That's a frustrating one," he explained.

"During those spells and the battle to come back and prove yourself, I've had to remind myself that at this point in my career, how lucky I am to have that opportunity to still be in this environment, competing at this level at an amazing club like Liverpool."

He wants too, to take a step back and enjoy the experience of fighting to win titles with team-mates who he says have sacrificed so much for success.

"It is a part of enjoying every minute, the highs, the lows and trying to take them for what they are. When you're 35 or 36 and you're not playing anymore, it's all done," he added.

"So It's more just about trying to enjoy every moment, keep pushing myself as much as I can to get the most out of myself and keep helping push the team to achieve as much as you can."