Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is "ahead of schedule" and could return to full training in February following a serious knee injury.
Oxlade-Chamberlain was expected to miss the vast majority of the season after sustaining multiple ligament damage to his right knee during Liverpool's Champions League semi-final first-leg tie with Roma in April.
The midfielder underwent surgery eight days later, with Klopp stating it would be a "bonus" if the England international featured in the 2018-19 campaign.
But after Oxlade-Chamberlain was pictured back at Liverpool's Melwood training ground earlier this week, Klopp said the 25-year-old will feature this season so long as his rehabilitation continues to show positive signs.
"[It's the] best news. He started going on the pitch and from the first step he looked completely normal," Klopp said.
"Sometimes when players are coming back from injury and start running, you see them not really limping, but it's not the picture you had in your mind.
"With Ox, from the first step, it looked like Ox. It was really nice, and then you had to wait for the reaction - there was no reaction, which is even nicer.
"No pressure on him, but it looks like it may be February back in normal training - late February, March, so that gives us hope that he will be back this season.
"We are usually not that excited about something like this, a lot of things can happen after being out for a long time, but it looks positive and it's just nice to have him around with a smile on his face. He's obviously happy and we are very happy with the improvement."
Klopp added: "It's a surprise, if anybody from the medical department listens to what I said they have a breakdown because that's how it looks, it looks really good.
"Of course he needs time. If you look at the little sessions he does outside it looks like he could play tomorrow but that's not possible, there's a long time to go.
"It's a boost for the whole dressing room. It's a surprise, he's ahead of schedule. We won't push him too much, but we don't want to hold him back. We will see.
"If he makes further steps like he did in the last few weeks, he can play Premier League football this season."
Meanwhile, Klopp said he is willing to talk to left-back Alberto Moreno, who has hinted his future lies away from Liverpool.
Klopp added: "My door is not always literally open - but it is always open if somebody wants to talk to me. If they don't talk to me, for me it does not really exist.
"That Alberto is not happy at not having that much minutes is obvious. The more important thing is that he never shows that in training - he is a fantastic professional."