'It's hard' - Adam Lallana makes honest Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Liverpool admission

Adam Lallana has expressed his sympathy for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and said ‘it has been a tough few months’ for the Liverpool midfielder.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has barely featured during the second half of the season, failing to make the bench for the FA Cup final last Saturday and also for six of Liverpool's previous seven Premier League games. He returned to the matchday squad for Tuesday’s win at his former club Southampton when key men were rested.

However, he wasn't required by Jurgen Klopp, meaning his last appearance in the league came back in the 3-1 victory at home to Norwich City on February 19. After the Southampton game, Reds boss Klopp hailed Oxlade-Chamberlain, saying he is in ‘outstanding shape’ and that he was annoyed at himself for not giving the 28-year-old England international more game time.

Royal Blue: Frank Lampard Analyses Defeat To Brentford & 'Lack Of Discipline'

Blood Red: Liverpool Away End Celebrate Southampton Win With Jurgen Klopp

Blood Red: “Ferraris in the garage” | Jurgen Klopp on Takumi Minamino and squad depth

Blood Red: Jurgen Klopp Hits Out At Scheduling On Southampton Tie After FA Cup Final

Blood Red: Match In Pictures | Southampton 1-2 Liverpool

Blood Red: Can Anyone Catch Mo Salah In The Race For The Golden Boot?

Blood Red: Divock Origi Starts | Team Selector | Southampton vs Liverpool

Blood Red: Trent Alexander-Arnold Makes Shortlist | Premier League Young Player of the Year Nominees

And Lallana, who scored 22 goals in 178 appearances for Liverpool between 2014 and 2020 but became a more peripheral figure during his final seasons at the club, has offered encouragement to his former team-mate.

“It has been a tough few months for Chambo,” Lallana, who was at St Mary's on Tuesday