Midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been ruled out of Liverpool’s festive programme and could be sidelined for longer with ankle ligament damage.

The England international was forced off in Saturday’s Club World Cup final victory over Flamengo and was pictured celebrating on crutches with the rest of the squad after the final whistle.

However, he could be out for up to six weeks after manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed it was not a minor problem.

“But you have to see how he is when he comes over and how we work with him and how we can put him in.

“That is the short term but the long term there is no doubt he will help us so that’s clear.

“We are looking forward to working with him but between now and Takumi’s first real day there is still three games.

“I have a little bit of time to think about exactly where he will fit in.”