According to latest reports, Rangers FC boss, Steven Gerrard is looking to further raid the Liverpool ranks by bringing in fullback, Jon Flanagan this summer. The 25-year-old is just running out his contract with the Reds and has slim to no chance of ever featuring for the senior team under Jurgen Klopp.
The player was caught on CCTV footage assaulting his girlfriend in a drunken state and was subsequently reprimanded in court. He admitted to the crime and was punished with 40 hours of unpaid work and 15 hours of rehabilitation. Liverpool took exception to the incident and was even prepared to end all ties with the player. However, upon Flanagan’s own admittance to guilt and remorse, the Reds board and manager, Jurgen Klopp agreed to continue his employment.
The German boss treated it as an isolated incident and agreed to work with the club in resurrecting the player’s character. However, chances still remain low of Flanagan ever featuring for the senior team. His last involvement for the side was back in September against Leicester City in the Carabo Cup and against Derby County for the club’s U23 side in January. He played 15 games in total last season, 9 of them for Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Championship, while out on loan.
It is a shame to see the former England international stoop to such woeful standards after starting out on his professional career in such striking fashion. Flanagan jumped out of the Liverpool youth ranks to make his Premier League debut while still only 18.
Kenny Dalglish put a lot of faith on the youngster and got rewarded in return. The 25-year-old made 7 Premier League appearances in the 2010/11 season and has now racked up 51 appearances in total for the club’s senior side. Without a terrific burst of pace, Flanagan proved to be a versatile defender who can fill in from either side of the flanks. He impressed as a backup option and was touted to be one of the prominent figures in the club’s future.
7 years later it is a completely different story and departing Anfield seems like Flanagan’s best shot at resurrecting his dying career. His actions will never escape the minds of potential suitors but we are all morally obliged to give the man a chance to make amends.
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Steven Gerrard has seen the youngster grow in his own club ranks at Merseyside and certainly knows what he is capable of. Flanagan could fill in as a replacement for James Tavernier who continues to draw links with English outfits.
