Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has paid tribute to the “unique” Liverpool fans who have supported him through thick and thin.
England star Oxlade-Chamberlain suffered a long-term knee injury in April 2018 but revealed it was the Liverpool supporters from far and wide who got him through it.
“I remember the knee injury in 2018 - that was the biggest injury I’ve ever had - that was so tough to take,” he said. “That was the time when I had the most support I’ve ever had from any set of fans.
“I was getting GIFs, big cards, banners and messages from fan clubs in Liverpool, Japan and China. All over the place.
“People from all over the city, people saying: ‘I can’t wait to have you back, keep going.’ That makes such a difference. When you do get an injury, you don’t want people thinking: ‘it’s him again.’ So when you get support in those moments, it’s so helpful and it does push you on.
“I’ve not had loads of injuries. But it has taken a while to come back and then get back into the team. But those moments of support really helped me and helped me come back, for sure.”
Indeed, Liverpool said goodbye to a “band of brothers” in an unforgettable farewell at Anfield.
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The Kop paid an emotional tribute to Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita, James Milner and Roberto Firmino who are all leaving this summer after their contracts expired.
They were cheered off as heroes and, even though Oxlade-Chamberlain modestly insisted the gesture was more for his teammates, he was deeply moved by it all.
Oxalde-Chamberlain said: “We had Bobby, Millie, who are obviously massive legends, I thought it was more for them, but they made me feel really special when I came out.
“It’s a unique fanbase and just cities in general in so many ways. The support as everyone knows is up there with the absolute best. It’s passion, it’s life, it’s everything up here.
“It felt like a band of brothers leaving, four of us at the same time, to share that with really good friends leaving at the same time. For the lads as well, it hit the group with more of an impact because it was four of us all at once.
“It made it sink in a bit more, made it more real and it hit home. That’s the best thing. That was the way I looked at it. When I watched clips back, I thought: ‘wow.’
“When I walked out, I felt nervous and was buzzing for Bobby and Millie doing it, I didn’t want to be centre stage, but they show such great support and you take it in, enjoy it and remember how many good times there were.”
