It’s been a horrible day for most Liverpool supporters, who’ve had to trawl through the ridiculous comments attributed to Raheem Sterling’s agent Aidy Ward (via Evening Standard)…
But even if the 20-year-old England man wouldn’t sign for £900k-per-week, Jon Flanagan and Jordon Ibe have been more than happy to commit their futures to Anfield, and the official website confirmed as much today.
19-year-old Ibe has been a revelation since returning from his loan spell at Championship side Derby back in January, and the report confirms his contract extension is a long-term one.
“I’m over the moon,” he began.
“It’s something I’ve been looking forward to. I’ve spoken to the gaffer and I’m happy it’s over and done with. Now I just want to kick on into next season, as well as the last game of this one.
“Liverpool are a great club and I like the philosophy here. I’m enjoying it – I’ve just been brought into the first team and I’ve enjoyed the games I’ve played in. Hopefully I can just keep doing well at the club.
“I have been given the chance to play quite a few games and I’ve enjoyed it. As I said, I just want to take that into pre-season and then next season, continuing with how it’s been since I’ve been back here.”
In the second half of the season, Ibe’s made seven Premier League starts, coming off the bench on four others.
But it’s Flanagan’s extension which is perhaps more surprising considering the fact he hasn’t played once all season due to injury, and further surgery has ruled him out for the remainder of 2015 as well (via Independent)…
The fullback’s manager said this upon the 22-year-old’s extension…
“It has just been unfortunate for him because he was about to sign a new deal just before the injury,” Brendan Rodgers began.
“Obviously his representatives and the club have been in talks, his deal was running out in the summer. He’s a very important player for us.
“Medically, we have to look after him now as well because he’s had quite a bad injury there that we’ve had to look at.
“But all the medics are saying that he’s going to come back stronger and healthier. That’s the most important thing.
“He has got a long road ahead of him over the next four to six months but I’m sure he’ll get his rewards at the end of that.
“We’re hoping that he can get back fit within the next year; it has been a long journey for him this last 18 months and in particular the last year of injury. Hopefully he can get back fit and get back into the team.”
The new contract shows the faith in Flanagan that the Liverpool staff have, and indicates that his horrible injuries are not career threatening ones.
Like Rodgers says, let’s hope he can come back better than ever, and that Ibe continues to develop his precocious talent.