Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says his year on the sidelines made him appreciate what makes Jurgen Klopp's trophy-chasing Liverpool team so special.
The Reds midfielder made his eagerly-awaited comeback off the bench in Friday's 5-0 rout of Huddersfield Town – some 367 days after suffering a serious knee injury against Roma.
It's been a long road back to fitness for Oxlade-Chamberlain , who has watched in admiration as Klopp's men have sustained a challenge for glory in both the Premier League and the Champions League.
“The biggest thing for me this whole year, and I’ve said it to friends, is that when you’re removed from it you realise how big the pressure is on the boys — pressure to produce really good results, every week, in all types of competitions, in different countries,” he told the Sunday Times .
“I’d be working hard at the club feeling I’d had a long day, then see the boys in the canteen, just back from a Champions League game in Italy or wherever, with their bags on their backs and they’re off to Bournemouth away.
“When you’re in it, you’re just in it. Removed, you realise how relentless it is. You get to hear the noise and everyone wants wins and wins and wins.
“And from the manager I’ve seen, however well the boys have done at the weekend, he’s the same exactly on the Sunday and Monday. He keeps demanding from the players. He keeps them there. You can see how he’s living it himself, the demands he puts on himself and how that oozes out (to everyone).”
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Oxlade-Chamberlain believes Klopp has got the perfect mix of personalities in the squad.
“A great captain in Hendo ( Jordan Henderson ), a leader and role model every single day - win, lose or draw,” he added.
“People like James Milner , who has won leagues but at an age where some footballers might want to wind down, is hungry.
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“Then what you’d call the superstars up front but also players like Andy Robertson , who worked his way up to become one of the best in the world.
“Everyone understands what it means to play for Liverpool , what the fans demand - which is just giving your all for the club.
“I’m lucky to play with these boys. It’s not nice to miss out but it hasn’t been ‘bittersweet’, more sweet, really, seeing how well the team has done.”
The England international was in the form of his career before his injury heartache last April. The 25-year-old is convinced that he can get back to that level.
“Of course. If I didn’t feel that, there wouldn’t be much point in coming back,” he said.
“I’ve got to believe that’s where I can go to. And I’m going to need to do that to get back into this team.”
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The Nou Camp awaits on Wednesday night. Oxlade-Chamberlain believes Liverpool can book their passage to the Champions League final by beating Barcelona in the semi-finals.
"We can beat absolutely anyone," he added.
"We’ll have to cope with their qualities and obvious strengths but we have plenty of them ourselves.
“The most important thing is I’d love Liverpool to achieve something really special. That comes before me."
