Forget Saturday’s 5-4 thriller at Norwich. Don’t talk to me about Joe Allen’s last-minute leveller against Arsenal. For me, the highlight of this rollercoaster January came in the 51st minute of our 3-0 win over Exeter City when Anfield rose as one to welcome back Jon Flanagan.
And tonight is gonna be even better because HE STARTS.
Flano is in our starting XI for the first time since May 2014 as we host Stoke City in the second leg of our Capital One Cup semi-final.
The 23-year-old comes in for Nathaniel Clyne, whose turn it is to have a sit on our injury table.
Jurgen Klopp’s other change following Saturday’s crazy goal-fest at Carrow Road sees Adam Lallana replace Jordon Ibe.
SEE ALSO: Liverpool player ratings v Norwich – Firmino sublime, defence woeful in manic away day
Check out the teams in full below and then scroll down to see how the #LFC Twitter community celebrated the Messiah’s return to the Reds first XI.
Stoke’s team selection is pretty interesting, with former Red Peter Crouch getting a rare run-out up top, while Xherdan Shaqiri is on the bench. Potters skipper Ryan Shawcross is out, which should delight Roberto Firmino and give the Brazilian a great chance to continue his scoring run of four goals in three games.
Liverpool XI: Mignolet; Flanagan, Toure, Sakho, Moreno; Lucas, Can, Henderson, Milner, Lallana; Firmino. Subs: Ward, Lovren, Benteke, Allen, Ibe, Teixeira, Smith
Stoke XI: Butland; Johnson, Wollscheid, Muniesa, Pieters; Whelan, Afellay; Walters, Bojan, Arnautovic; Crouch. Subs: Haugaard; Bardsley, Joselu, Wilson, Van Ginkel, Adam, Shaqiri.
Flanagan isn't the Scouse Cafu
Cafu is the Brazilian Flanagan
— We're getting top 4. (@FinallyFirmino) January 26, 2016
Great to see John Flanagan fit and well in Liverpool's XI
Good luck lad
#LFC
@CapitalOne_Cup
— Craig (@craig0829) January 26, 2016
Buzzing to see Jon Flanagan starting tonight, Exactly the kind of player needed for these big games, Come on Redmen
— Darren Farley (@DFImpressionist) January 26, 2016
626 – Jon Flanagan is set to start his first game for Liverpool since May 2014 (v Newcastle), 626 days ago. Return.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 26, 2016
And finally, let’s not forget what Luis told us…
Jon Flanagan has come on for #LFC – his first appearance in 619 days.
Luis was a fan.
https://t.co/QLypWcxvhk pic.twitter.com/alCoj6Ctbv
— BBC 5 live Sport (@5liveSport) January 20, 2016