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Liverpool will assess Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's fitness on Saturday after his long-awaited comeback was brought to a premature end.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was substituted four minutes before half-time on his return to action for the under-23s in their 3-1 win at Derby County's Moor Farm training ground on Friday afternoon.

The midfielder was initially expected to play the first half but was replaced after signalling to the bench he had a problem.

The 25-year-old will now undergo scans on the extent of the issue - although he was spotted holding his hamstring as he left for the changing room.

The injury is not related to the knee problem that kept him out action for almost 11 months.

“He obviously had a bit of an issue but hopefully it's nothing major,” said Liverpool U23s boss Neil Critchley.

“The bonus for him is that it's not his knee, so he's delighted there are no problems with that.

“He was enjoying himself, he was happy to be back playing. Hopefully when he wakes up in the morning, fingers crossed it's nothing and only a precaution.

“The idea was only ever to play him for 45 minutes at most anyway. He nearly got that, as well. Hopefully it's not as bad as it first looked.

“He was looking over (to the bench) and we weren't sure. It's maybe some kind of muscle problem and one to assess tomorrow.

“What was good is that he was sensible. He came off quite quick. He has handled that situation quite well.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain – in front of the watching Reds sporting director Michael Edwards and Academy director Alex Inglethorpe – was in good spirits after his substitution and posed for photographs while giving the thumbs up to supporters on his walk back to the dressing room area.

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And Critchley revealed how delighted the England international was to finally be back playing having suffered his injury during the Champions League semi-final against Roma at Anfield in April 2018.

“I've never met him before and you can see he is a bubbly, positive person,” said Critchley.

“Even when he was on the pitch, you could see he was enjoying playing again. He brought a calmness and maturity to our play and our boys are delighted to play with someone like that.

“Sometimes we forget they just love playing football. It was exciting for Alex to put his boots and his shinpads and his kit back on today. He was like a kid again.

“It was great to see him out there playing.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain is now unlikely to be considered for a return to first-team contention until after the international break.