Liverpool starlet Paul Glatzel has been taking inspiration from first teamer Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain during his injury layoff.
Glatzel and Bobby Duncan formed a tremendous duo for Liverpool’s U23 side last season before Duncan engineered his move to Fiorentina, and that double act has properly broken up by the former’s season-ended knee injury sustained at the start of the campaign.
The forward was supposed to get back to outside training this month, but COVID-19 has put a halt to that. Coming back from a series blow like that can be difficult, but Paul Glatzel has said he took inspiration from the first team when he was having difficult times.
Liverpool handed him a new contract in September, as his rehab first started to take shape following surgery in July. Glatzel sustained the injury against Tranmere Rovers in a pre-season friendly and has sat out ever since.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain suffered a similar injury against AS Roma in the Champions League and was out for nearly a whole year, so the former Arsenal man will be able to appreciate exactly what the younger man is going through.
Talking about the Ox, Glatzel said:
"“When he plays well or has a good game, it fills me with confidence because I know what he’s been through and I know he’s been out for a long time but he’s been able to bounce back.”"
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That isn’t a career-ending injury anymore, even if being out for that length of time comes with its own battles – especially at such a young age, when the starlet was due to break through into the first team.
Who knows, he might have had a few cup appearances under his belt by now as Jurgen Klopp rotated heavily for Carabao and FA Cup encounters.
A big part of the rehabilitation is mentally. It’s about having the belief to still carry out those darting movements that put pressure on the knee without having negative thoughts the whole time.
This is another area that Oxlade-Chamberlain gives Glatzel strength.
"“Agility is pretty much what I need for my game, to be able to turn quickly and change direction. I can see that in Ox’s game, he’s not focusing on the knee problems he’s had in the past.“He is just playing normally, changing direction smoothly and is doing all he can do and all he needs to do without really having any thoughts about the injury he has had in the past.”"
Even thought the starlet is staying safe at home, he’s continuing his rehab and will come back stronger than ever for next season. Hopefully we’ll see him and the Ox in the same side sooner rather than later.