Blog: Jon Flanagan is the local hero we need
A week after Jon Flanagan committed his future to Liverpool by signing a new contract and promptly captained the side at Southampton, fan and writer Donovan Chandler reflects on his role for the Reds in our latest blog.
“He is our boy and we are really happy,” said a beaming Jürgen Klopp recently, speaking about the news that Jon Flanagan had signed a new contract with the club.
It has been a tough road for the Scouser. Injury problems curtailed the huge progress he made shortly after making a first-team place his own a couple of seasons ago. He had been seen in the Barclays Premier League as early as 2011 after progressing through our Academy – making his debut under Kenny Dalglish in a 3-0 win over Manchester City – but it was not until the 2013-14 campaign that the majority of supporters were exposed to his great potential.
Potential, as mentioned, that has been held back by injury. Flanagan spent the best part of 20 months out of commission, and it was a long, hard road to recovery. His return as a substitute against Exeter City in January signalled the start of a new chapter, but it will take time and a sustained period of games before we can realistically expect to see the best of our boy again.
Nevertheless, it is a great relief that we will be afforded the chance to watch Flanno develop to his peak in Liverpool red. The contract renewal is a brilliant – and essential – move by the club, and an indication that even in this changing world of football, we are prepared to hold on to our roots and back our youngsters.
The influx of foreign players into English football is great for the game, but the spirit of the club is retained through the fanbase and the local lads that make their way through the ranks. After the retirement of Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard’s departure for Major League Soccer, we have needed a new local hero to get behind.
Flanagan has long been identified as that man. And while his absence has been hard to take, it is time to move on and look at what is ahead. From now on, he can well and truly take the mantle.
Klopp handed the defender the captain’s armband at Southampton last weekend; he has got the characteristics, he has got the ability and, from what we have seen of him to date, he has got all the ingredients to become a regular leader for this club. There is nothing quite like a crunching tackle to set the tone for a match, and we do not have to look too far back to our most recent 3-0 win over City to be reminded of what Flanagan can bring.
A huge tackle on Raheem Sterling at Anfield earlier this month typified the full-back and his attitude towards the game. And, in one small moment, it summed up just why Liverpool supporters are so fond of this young man. We love hard work, and do not stand for any nonsense.
Flanno is the most senior Liverpool lad we have got on our books right now, and it is a pleasure to see that we have done our part to keep him on board. Here’s to a brighter future.
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