Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain takes stock of fitness from Dubai as Liverpool's star approaches his return

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain provided a fitness update on his Instagram account as the Liverpool star gets closer on his return.

The midfielder has not played for the Reds since a serious knee injury almost 12 months ago in the Champions League semifinal against Roma at Anfield.

A provisional return was expected earlier this month for those under 23, but the former Arsenal man only lasted 41 minutes from the first half against Derby County , before being removed from the competition.

Liverpool is naturally eager to revive Oxlade-Chamberlain after such a long absence. Initially, there was a fear of missing the entire current campaign.

However, after working hard on his rehab, Oxlade-Chamberlain is about to resume full training, as confirmed by manager Jurgen Klopp earlier this week.

"I spoke to him a second ago; Ox is positive, we are all positive, "said Klopp.

"It was a small setback [against Derby]It was not over, but it was a failure. It's like that.

"You do not want to be too sensitive after a period like this because they train a lot – training is always like that, it's like stress for the body. You feel something, but you do not want to say everything because that [can be] DOMS (late onset muscle pain).

"It was the case with him, it was a little more than DOMS, but not really. [serious].

"We're careful of course, he's working, he's doing a lot and I think he's going to be training in a week again, and then he'll be fine."

Oxlade-Chamberlain is currently undergoing a fitness program specifically designed to return to the fold of Liverpool.

In the Instagram video, we can see the 25-year-old working on his fitness and balloon work in Dubai.

He says, "If I manage to get through these sessions here, I should be able to go home even more easily, that's the idea itself."

"I prefer working hard now and feeling better when I get back than not working hard enough now and regretting it."

It is hoped that he will be able to play a role at some point during the last six weeks of the Reds season.