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Muscle issue forces Oxlade-Chamberlain from return

Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC / Liverpool FC / Getty

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's first match in 11 months ended prematurely Friday when the Liverpool winger was removed from an appearance with the Under-23 squad because of an injury scare.

The 25-year-old returned to action for the first time since rupturing his ACL during last season's Champions League semifinal first leg against Roma in April.

He fell short of playing the 45 minutes that was initially expected of him on Friday.

"He obviously had a bit of an issue but hopefully it's nothing major," manager Neil Critchley said. "The bonus for him is that it's not his knee, so he's delighted there are no problems with that.

"He was enjoying himself, he was happy to be back playing. Hopefully, when he wakes up in the morning, fingers crossed it's nothing and only a precaution.

"The idea was only ever to play him for 45 minutes at most anyway. He nearly got that, as well.

"Hopefully it's not as bad as it first looked. He was looking over (to the bench) and we weren't sure. It's maybe some kind of muscle problem and maybe one to assess tomorrow."

Earlier this week, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said Oxlade-Chamberlain will not be in contention for selection until at least after the upcoming international break.

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