What Klopp said about Flanagan’s contract in 2016 makes sense now…

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It’s sad to say, but it’s looking increasingly unlikely that Jon Flanagan has a long-term Liverpool future.

The fullback made his first appearance of the season last night against Leicester City, but put in a seriously sub-par performance.

He’s passionate and strong in the tackle, but is lacking in any technical ability and is very poor on the ball.

Flanno’s now our fourth choice right-back, behind Nathaniel Clyne (when he returns to fitness), Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez – and at 24 – he needs a club where he’s given minutes.

In 2015/16, fans criticised Jurgen Klopp for not consistently using the defender and taking time to renew his contract – but when the extension was eventually awarded – the boss suggested it was a ‘better’ deal for Flanagan than it was the club.

Hardly the kind of praise a player wants to hear from his manager!

“It is good for us but I think in this special case, with his long injury, it is better for Flanno…” he told the Mail at the time.

“There are a few other full-backs in the world but not so many Scousers and not so many came back after a difficult injury. He is our boy and we are really happy to have him here.”

Two years later, with Flanagan failing at Burnley last season on loan, there seems no way back.

His level is likely in the Championship, where we’ll wish him luck and hope he can one day work his way back to the Premier League.

 

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