Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain saw 'one of best things in my life' at Liverpool

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain recalls “one of the best things in my life” after Liverpool won its sixth Champions League title against Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid in 2019

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain recalled the Champions League victory parade in 2019(Image: 2019 Liverpool FC)

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has reflected on Liverpool’s 2019 Champions League triumph, describing the victory parade as “one of the best things in my life” as the club celebrated its European success through the streets of the city.

Liverpool secured a 2–0 victory in the final against Tottenham, taking an early lead through a penalty scored by Mohamed Salah after 106 seconds. Divock Origi added a second goal in the 87th minute to seal the win. Oxlade-Chamberlain was an unused substitute in the game.

It was the first time the Reds had won the tournament since the iconic Istanbul final in 2005. 24 hours after the victory, an estimated 750,000 supporters enjoyed Liverpool's victory parade. Meanwhile, Salah's intense professional dedication amazed Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The 32-year-old recalled the celebrations six years ago during an appearance on The Anfield Wrap. “It’s just different, you can really feel how much it means to them" said the Celtic midfielder. "Going through the streets, some of the stuff that's being said, people up the lampposts, on the bus stops, just some of the hilarious things you hear, then some real heartfelt stuff as well, you can tell how much it means.

"I always think there's a fine balance with that in football and with fans, how much it means. I completely understand when things aren't going great, you're getting pelters off those same people.

"But I don't know, with Liverpool fans, of course, there's times when you're not happy and want to do better. But even in those tough moments, they have a real way of finding the right words and support and then showing you complete appreciation when, one, you put in the work that needs to be done, or you're working hard and you're competing, you're trying.

"But two, when you're able to give them a trophy or some success, that feeling, it all makes sense why you do it and why you work so hard or why you have to win, basically, and why you want to win. That's definitely a special thing with the city. That night after the final and then the parade is one of the best things I've ever seen in my life. Honestly, incredible, incredible scenes."

Oxlade-Chamberlain battled back from an ACL injury suffered in the Champions League semi-final in April 2018 to play a key role in Liverpool 2019/20 Premier League title-winning season. He also reflected on the emotional toll of his time at Anfield, expressing disappointment at missing several major milestones and key club celebrations during his spell with the team.

"When I got injured (in 2018), there was that thing of I want to win but there was always that thing of, 'If we win and I'm not in the squad, it will hurt,'" he confessed on Ben Foster's Fozcast. "We lost the first (Champions League) final when I was injured — I was out for a year.

"I lost out on the semi-final and the final so when I was on the pitch with the crutches, I was like, 'Oh no, am I allowed to claim this [winners medal]? Does this still count? Because I'm not in the squad for the final and I'm injured.'

"When we got to the Champions League final again, I was back and I was in the squad. For me, I was like, 'I'm counting this.' I've been training, I've made a couple of appearances since coming back from injury, and I've got to claim this. This is it. But there is always that little thing of, 'I wish I could have played.'"