Liverpool will be given a major boost in their Premier League title race, according to former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright.
The imminent return of ex-Gunners man Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is creating plenty of excitement at Anfield after a year on the sidelines.
Having not featured at all this season, Wright predicts the combative midfielder will be "like a new signing" for Jurgen Klopp's side in the business end of the season.
Oxlade-Chamberlain made his comeback from his ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in an Under-23 match against Derby at the start of March and fears he picked up a hamstring injury was downplayed.
Wright reckons the midfielder will give Jurgen Klopp's side an added element to their side as he looks set to play a part before the end of the season.
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“It can be unbelievably helpful [having a fresh player come in at this point of season],” Wright told Premier League Today.
“But he’s been out for a long time with the injury that he’s had.
“I think he had a little bit of a problem when he came back.
“That’s the problem you can have coming back from an injury that’s taken so long to heal.
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“But he’s somebody that will be like a new signing at this stage of the season, giving Liverpool from the midfield a kind of dynamic that they’ve not had, for me, all season.
“So it’s one of those situations where he looks as though he’s pretty much ready, looks very confident and very ready to go.
“And if he can come in at this stage and give them that last little element to push them over the line, he’s got everything in that respect.
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“In respect of the tools that he needs to drive Liverpool forward like we saw him do before he got injured.”
It is unclear exactly when Oxlade-Chamberlain will be reintroduced to the first team fold having worked his way back to full fitness.
The Reds host Tottenham in a huge game at Anfield next Sunday, March 31 before heading to Oxlade-Chamberlain's former club, Southampton , the following Friday.
