Liverpool winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has insisted that he cannot afford to rush through the rehabilitation process as he looks to recover from a serious knee injury.
The 25-year-old has been out of action since early May due to a serious knee injury and is not expected to play until at least the end of the current campaign for the Reds.
The England international has been undergoing an extensive but gradual rehabilitation process and he admits that at his age he can afford to take as much time as possible in order to return to full fitness.
He conceded that maybe if he was older he could have taken a risk, but Oxlade-Chamberlain is unwilling to take a gamble on his knees at 25.
He feels the support from Jurgen Klopp and the fans has also been reassuring and the Liverpool star has not been feeling the pressure of trying to rush through the process, which could be detrimental in the long run.
The Reds star said on LFC TV: “I’ve had a few knee injuries in my past and the thing I know with these things is that you need to take as long as you need really.
“You can’t mess about with your knees.
“If you are 30, 31 when you pick it up, then you can be a little bit more aggressive, but hopefully I have got a good few years left in my career so we have got to take the time that it needs and not rush things.”
And, hailing Klopp, Oxlade-Chamberlain added: “The manager has been really good with that and I have got to give a big mention to the fans as well.
"I’ve had injuries in the past and people could be negative about it, but ever since I have been injured the support from the fans has been massive.
“That really has given me peace of mind that I have got time to get it right and come back as best as possible.
“Just respect the injury basically, give it the time it needs and the work it needs and hopefully everything will fall into place.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain's injury meant he missed the World Cup in the summer.
