Jon Flanagan’s rise in form has positively shocked most Liverpool fans. Today, Neil Collins looks at whether the 20-year-old is a solution to first-team problems…
FLANAGAN?! That was my baffled response to the team news emerging before kick-off last Saturday.
I almost spat my pint out when I realised Rodgers had opted for the youngster over Touré and Sakho; who are experienced defenders even if they’re not natural full-backs. Martin Kelly wasn’t even in the squad and doesn’t seem to get a look in these days. And where was Cissokho? Actually, forget about him.
Social media was also flooded with fans questioning Flanagan’s inclusion; just like it was a few weeks ago against Arsenal.
But 90 minutes later we were all proved wrong as Flano produced a Man of the Match performance and became a derby-day hero.
Big Game Player?
In October 1991, Rob Jones made his Liverpool debut just 48 hours after signing from Crewe. Souness threw him to the sharks at Old Trafford, but the 19-year-old dominated Giggs and helped the Reds to a goalless draw. Jones’ performance is still spoken of amongst Kopites.
Likewise, Flano was hurled in at the deep end but responded with one of the finest Merseyside derby displays you’ll ever see, and it will be remembered in years to come.
Yet, I don’t why I felt so nervous about Flano’s starting role because he’s always performed well on the big occasion.
King Kenny’s Reign
Dalglish showed great confidence in handing Flanagan his debut in April 2011 against Man City despite having limited experience even with the reserves. He acquitted himself superbly up against the likes of Tévez, Džeko and Yaya Touré though.
In the subsequent weeks, Flano covered for the injured Johnson and Kelly with performances that portrayed experience far beyond an 18-year-old.
On the opposite flank to 17-year-old Jack Robinson, Flano gave another gutsy display at Arsenal; even inadvertently knocking out Carragher in a full-blooded aerial challenge.
The Scouser quickly made the right-back role his own and he looked like he’d played there longer than a handful of games. In total, he started in Liverpool’s last seven fixtures of the season including clean-sheet wins over Birmingham and Newcastle. His great form landed him the club’s Young Player of Season award and a bright future seemed inevitable.
The King’s Last Stand
Upon receiving the award, Flano thanked Dalglish for the confidence he’d shown in him and said he couldn’t have wished to play for a better manager.
He was given a starting role once again on the first day of the new season against Sunderland. Yet, he only featured sporadically throughout the campaign and never really progressed due to more intense competition for places.
Flano began to naively commit himself into tackles and the potential for a clanger crept into his game. In his last appearance of the season at Blackburn in April 2011, his under-hit back-pass resulted in the dismissal of Doni and it was relief when he was subbed.
King Kenny was sacked the following month and Flanagan lost a father-figure.
The Rodgers Regime
However, the initial signs were positive under the new regime. Flano featured heavily in the Being: Liverpool documentary in which Rodgers cradled the youngster’s head in his hand whilst proffering his wisdom like a Northern Irish version of The Godfather.
But despite blooding youngsters like Sterling, Suso, Wisdom and Shelvey; Rodgers didn’t seem to fancy Flanagan and handed him just two appearances all season. This was particularly odd given that Kelly was ruled out for the whole campaign. He still didn’t get a chance when Enrique was injured and eventually dropped below Wisdom in the pecking order.
Flano’s own niggling injuries and a lack of interest from other clubs in a loan deal also played their part. Yet, when Rodgers didn’t start him against Mansfield and Oldham in the FA Cup, it looked like his days were numbered.
Back with a Bang
Over the summer I feared that he would be sold for a small fee, which would’ve been a terrible waste of potential (much like Adam Morgan now).
However, Rodgers threw us all a curveball by naming Flanagan in his starting line-up at Arsenal for his first league appearance since that Ewood Park showing.
Deployed at right-back in the absence of Johnson, he saw plenty of the ball throughout the first half and was one of the few players who could hold his head high.
His professionalism and persistence in training then paid off with another starting role against Everton. The 20-year-old barely put a foot wrong all afternoon. He reminded me of a young Carra in the way he executed tackles and bust a gut to chase after lost causes.
At one point he smashed into Coleman but won the ball fairly, which whipped the away end into frenzy that continued every time the local lad got the ball.
Despite conceding three goals, Flano wasn’t at fault for any of them and for Everton’s third he was even trying to mark Lukaku after Agger had gone missing. He coped well up against Mirallas, and could’ve performed even better had the Belgian been sent off.
Regular Left-Back?
Rodgers has tinkered occasionally with Agger, Škrtel, Touré and Sakho at full-back, but to no avail. Therefore, it makes sense to give the role to a natural in that position.
With Enrique out until February, the door is open for Flano to nail down the left-back slot; especially with Wisdom and Robinson out on loan. Kelly would usually be a shoe-in, but he’s completely in the shadows at the moment. And Cissokho looks like scuffing the ball into touch or falling over it altogether whenever he’s in possession.
Flano’s proved himself against the big teams, and now there’s a perfect opportunity to excel in a run against the lesser sides of Hull, Norwich and West Ham. If he comes through those games, he can look forward to further testing his mettle against Tottenham, Man City and Chelsea over the Christmas period.
His chant could still do with a bit of work on it though. That tune from The Muppets is terrible.
Jon Flanagan’s rise in form has positively shocked most Liverpool fans. Today, Neil Collins looks at whether the 20-year-old is a solution to first-team problems…
FLANAGAN?! That was my baffled response to the team news emerging before kick-off last Saturday.
I almost spat my pint out when I realised Rodgers had opted for the youngster over Touré and Sakho; who are experienced defenders even if they’re not natural full-backs. Martin Kelly wasn’t even in the squad and doesn’t seem to get a look in these days. And where was Cissokho? Actually, forget about him.
Social media was also flooded with fans questioning Flanagan’s inclusion; just like it was a few weeks ago against Arsenal.
But 90 minutes later we were all proved wrong as Flano produced a Man of the Match performance and became a derby-day hero.
Big Game Player?
In October 1991, Rob Jones made his Liverpool debut just 48 hours after signing from Crewe. Souness threw him to the sharks at Old Trafford, but the 19-year-old dominated Giggs and helped the Reds to a goalless draw. Jones’ performance is still spoken of amongst Kopites.
Likewise, Flano was hurled in at the deep end but responded with one of the finest Merseyside derby displays you’ll ever see, and it will be remembered in years to come.
Yet, I don’t why I felt so nervous about Flano’s starting role because he’s always performed well on the big occasion.
King Kenny’s Reign
Dalglish showed great confidence in handing Flanagan his debut in April 2011 against Man City despite having limited experience even with the reserves. He acquitted himself superbly up against the likes of Tévez, Džeko and Yaya Touré though.
In the subsequent weeks, Flano covered for the injured Johnson and Kelly with performances that portrayed experience far beyond an 18-year-old.
On the opposite flank to 17-year-old Jack Robinson, Flano gave another gutsy display at Arsenal; even inadvertently knocking out Carragher in a full-blooded aerial challenge.
The Scouser quickly made the right-back role his own and he looked like he’d played there longer than a handful of games. In total, he started in Liverpool’s last seven fixtures of the season including clean-sheet wins over Birmingham and Newcastle. His great form landed him the club’s Young Player of Season award and a bright future seemed inevitable.
The King’s Last Stand
Upon receiving the award, Flano thanked Dalglish for the confidence he’d shown in him and said he couldn’t have wished to play for a better manager.
He was given a starting role once again on the first day of the new season against Sunderland. Yet, he only featured sporadically throughout the campaign and never really progressed due to more intense competition for places.
Flano began to naively commit himself into tackles and the potential for a clanger crept into his game. In his last appearance of the season at Blackburn in April 2011, his under-hit back-pass resulted in the dismissal of Doni and it was relief when he was subbed.
King Kenny was sacked the following month and Flanagan lost a father-figure.
The Rodgers Regime
However, the initial signs were positive under the new regime. Flano featured heavily in the Being: Liverpool documentary in which Rodgers cradled the youngster’s head in his hand whilst proffering his wisdom like a Northern Irish version of The Godfather.
But despite blooding youngsters like Sterling, Suso, Wisdom and Shelvey; Rodgers didn’t seem to fancy Flanagan and handed him just two appearances all season. This was particularly odd given that Kelly was ruled out for the whole campaign. He still didn’t get a chance when Enrique was injured and eventually dropped below Wisdom in the pecking order.
Flano’s own niggling injuries and a lack of interest from other clubs in a loan deal also played their part. Yet, when Rodgers didn’t start him against Mansfield and Oldham in the FA Cup, it looked like his days were numbered.
Back with a Bang
Over the summer I feared that he would be sold for a small fee, which would’ve been a terrible waste of potential (much like Adam Morgan now).
However, Rodgers threw us all a curveball by naming Flanagan in his starting line-up at Arsenal for his first league appearance since that Ewood Park showing.
Deployed at right-back in the absence of Johnson, he saw plenty of the ball throughout the first half and was one of the few players who could hold his head high.
His professionalism and persistence in training then paid off with another starting role against Everton. The 20-year-old barely put a foot wrong all afternoon. He reminded me of a young Carra in the way he executed tackles and bust a gut to chase after lost causes.
At one point he smashed into Coleman but won the ball fairly, which whipped the away end into frenzy that continued every time the local lad got the ball.
Despite conceding three goals, Flano wasn’t at fault for any of them and for Everton’s third he was even trying to mark Lukaku after Agger had gone missing. He coped well up against Mirallas, and could’ve performed even better had the Belgian been sent off.
Regular Left-Back?
Rodgers has tinkered occasionally with Agger, Škrtel, Touré and Sakho at full-back, but to no avail. Therefore, it makes sense to give the role to a natural in that position.
With Enrique out until February, the door is open for Flano to nail down the left-back slot; especially with Wisdom and Robinson out on loan. Kelly would usually be a shoe-in, but he’s completely in the shadows at the moment. And Cissokho looks like scuffing the ball into touch or falling over it altogether whenever he’s in possession.
Flano’s proved himself against the big teams, and now there’s a perfect opportunity to excel in a run against the lesser sides of Hull, Norwich and West Ham. If he comes through those games, he can look forward to further testing his mettle against Tottenham, Man City and Chelsea over the Christmas period.
His chant could still do with a bit of work on it though. That tune from The Muppets is terrible.
Liverpool have been dealt a major blow ahead of the busy festive fixtures after Daniel Sturridge suffered suspected ankle ligament damage in training on Friday.
All major newspapers are reporting the news that Sturridge rolled his left ankle in the latter stages of the training session. He left the club’s training ground on crutches.
The Telegraph report:
The England striker was sent for a scan and was still awaiting the full results of that assessment last night, but if it is ligament damage he could be out for a minimum of six weeks.
Sturridge suffered a similar injury earlier this year in a friendly for England, in his right ankle, which required two months on the sidelines.
The Guardian write that Liverpool “are braced for bad news” once the scan results return.
Sturridge’s extended absence is a major blow with three games inside seven days, followed by trips to Tottenham, Man City and Chelsea all in December.
Brendan Rodgers will likely opt to change to a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Victor Moses on the left of the three, Philippe Coutinho in the “number 10″ role, and Jordan Henderson drifting inside from the right.
Earlier today we identified five players who can benefit from the busy run of fixtures.
Liverpool have been dealt a major blow ahead of the busy festive fixtures after Daniel Sturridge suffered suspected ankle ligament damage in training on Friday.
All major newspapers are reporting the news that Sturridge rolled his left ankle in the latter stages of the training session. He left the club’s training ground on crutches.
The Telegraph report:
The England striker was sent for a scan and was still awaiting the full results of that assessment last night, but if it is ligament damage he could be out for a minimum of six weeks.
Sturridge suffered a similar injury earlier this year in a friendly for England, in his right ankle, which required two months on the sidelines.
The Guardian write that Liverpool “are braced for bad news” once the scan results return.
Sturridge’s extended absence is a major blow with three games inside seven days, followed by trips to Tottenham, Man City and Chelsea all in December.
Brendan Rodgers will likely opt to change to a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Victor Moses on the left of the three, Philippe Coutinho in the “number 10″ role, and Jordan Henderson drifting inside from the right.
Earlier today we identified five players who can benefit from the busy run of fixtures.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has praised Daniel Sturridge for his attitude towards being dropped for last weekend's derby.
The England striker, 24, was reportedly struggling for match fitness having played the full 90 minutes in the preceding England defeat to Germany - and Rodgers elected to name him as a substitute against Everton.
That did not stop Sturridge scoring a dramatic equaliser following his late introduction to the game - nodding in a Steven Gerrard cross to snatch the Reds a 3-3 draw and silence Goodison Park.
Rodgers was quick to praise Sturridge's contribution when speaking ahead of Sunday's clash with Hull City, with the Northern Irishman saying: "I think that is what good players do.
"Players will react differently. You will find some players, if they are not in the team, they just shrivel and die and have no fight.
"The top players when they don't play they show you every single day what they can do and that has been the case this week.
"He has certainly trained very hard this week. He has been really determined, strong and aggressive and he looks ready for the weekend.
"He has worked exceptionally well and when he does that his quality is there for all to see.
"We have another day to go to prepare and see where all the players is at. I like to give every player the chance to show they can be in the team."
With Friday bringing about floods of tributes to Ryan Giggs on his 40th birthday, Rodgers paid tribute to his own veteran star - Steven Gerrard.
"(They are) two players who have unquestionable quality and it is just really about fitness, and at this moment in time with Stevie his fitness is holding up very well.
"He will be 34 at the end of this season and I look at his fitness and him playing and I think he is as fit as he's ever been. He is looking after himself."
You can watch Liverpool's clash with Hull City live on Sky Sports 1HD on Sunday from 1pm.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has praised Daniel Sturridge for his attitude towards being dropped for last weekend's derby.
The England striker, 24, was reportedly struggling for match fitness having played the full 90 minutes in the preceding England defeat to Germany - and Rodgers elected to name him as a substitute against Everton.
That did not stop Sturridge scoring a dramatic equaliser following his late introduction to the game - nodding in a Steven Gerrard cross to snatch the Reds a 3-3 draw and silence Goodison Park.
Rodgers was quick to praise Sturridge's contribution when speaking ahead of Sunday's clash with Hull City, with the Northern Irishman saying: "I think that is what good players do.
"Players will react differently. You will find some players, if they are not in the team, they just shrivel and die and have no fight.
"The top players when they don't play they show you every single day what they can do and that has been the case this week.
"He has certainly trained very hard this week. He has been really determined, strong and aggressive and he looks ready for the weekend.
"He has worked exceptionally well and when he does that his quality is there for all to see.
"We have another day to go to prepare and see where all the players is at. I like to give every player the chance to show they can be in the team."
With Friday bringing about floods of tributes to Ryan Giggs on his 40th birthday, Rodgers paid tribute to his own veteran star - Steven Gerrard.
"(They are) two players who have unquestionable quality and it is just really about fitness, and at this moment in time with Stevie his fitness is holding up very well.
"He will be 34 at the end of this season and I look at his fitness and him playing and I think he is as fit as he's ever been. He is looking after himself."
You can watch Liverpool's clash with Hull City live on Sky Sports 1HD on Sunday from 1pm.
Liverpool’s owners are set to give their full backing to Brendan Rodgers‘ position at the club by offering him a new five-year deal, according to the Liverpool Echo.
Rodgers has been at Anfield for almost a year and a half, meaning he is half way through the three year deal he signed when he switched from Swansea City.
Peter Guy of the Liverpool Echo claims that the club are “desperate” to agree a new deal with the 40-year-old Norther Irishman.
Guy quotes an unnamed source as saying:
“My understanding is that Brendan is close to agreeing a new deal.
“I believe the club may want to make it a longer term five year agreement and are hoping it can be sorted over the next few weeks.”
Jack Wilson of the Daily Star also reports the news, suggesting Liverpool’s owners are worried manager-less clubs will try to snap Rodgers up if he doesn’t commit himself to life on Merseyside soon.
Rodgers has orchestrated vast improvements at the club during his short time on Merseyside and goes into December with Liverpool sitting second in the Premier League.
Rodgers is now looking towards bringing in new personell in the January transfer window to strengthen his squad further.
Chelsea’s Ryan Bertrand has been the subject of increased speculation linking him with a move to Liverpool this week, whilst Barcelona youngster Martin Montoya has also been targeted.
Liverpool’s owners are set to give their full backing to Brendan Rodgers‘ position at the club by offering him a new five-year deal, according to the Liverpool Echo.
Rodgers has been at Anfield for almost a year and a half, meaning he is half way through the three year deal he signed when he switched from Swansea City.
Peter Guy of the Liverpool Echo claims that the club are “desperate” to agree a new deal with the 40-year-old Norther Irishman.
Guy quotes an unnamed source as saying:
“My understanding is that Brendan is close to agreeing a new deal.
“I believe the club may want to make it a longer term five year agreement and are hoping it can be sorted over the next few weeks.”
Jack Wilson of the Daily Star also reports the news, suggesting Liverpool’s owners are worried manager-less clubs will try to snap Rodgers up if he doesn’t commit himself to life on Merseyside soon.
Rodgers has orchestrated vast improvements at the club during his short time on Merseyside and goes into December with Liverpool sitting second in the Premier League.
Rodgers is now looking towards bringing in new personell in the January transfer window to strengthen his squad further.
Chelsea’s Ryan Bertrand has been the subject of increased speculation linking him with a move to Liverpool this week, whilst Barcelona youngster Martin Montoya has also been targeted.
Brendan Rodgers addressed a room of journalists at Melwood on Friday afternoon ahead of this weekend’s Premier League trip to Hull City.
There wasn’t much asked of Rodgers, who will be hoping his side can bounce back from their dramatic 3-3 draw at Everton last weekend when they visit the KC Stadium this Sunday.
The Northern Irishman did, however, give an update on the fitness of Daniel Sturridge, who played just 11 minutes of the Merseyside derby.
The official Liverpool FC website quote Rodgers as saying, “He has certainly trained very hard this week. We’ve got another day to go to prepare and see where all the players are at.
“I like to give all the players every chance to show that they can be in the team. He has worked exceptionally well and, when he does that, his quality is there for everyone to see.”
Aside from that, Rodgers aid he had no other major injury concerns.
Meanwhile, Hull boss Steve Bruce told press in his pre-match press conference that he believes Brendan Rodgers keeping hold of Luis Suarez at Liverpool this year was the Reds’ boss’s biggest achievement yet.
“I think that was his biggest achievement so far, turning that situation around because it must have been difficult at times,” Bruce is quoted by the Independent as saying.
“I think they were adamant that they were holding on to their best player and any club, if they’ve got aspirations to go and compete at the top level and win the league, have to keep hold of their best players.
“Certainly Suarez is that for Liverpool.
“He has proved year in, year out that he’s as good a player as there is in the Premier League.”
HulL City vs Liverpool gets underway at 2pm on Sunday, 1st December 2013 and it’s live on Sky Sports.
Look out for more match build-up throughout the weekend on This Is AnfieldRory Fitzgerald’s tactical analysis of the Reds’ opponents.
Brendan Rodgers addressed a room of journalists at Melwood on Friday afternoon ahead of this weekend’s Premier League trip to Hull City.
There wasn’t much asked of Rodgers, who will be hoping his side can bounce back from their dramatic 3-3 draw at Everton last weekend when they visit the KC Stadium this Sunday.
The Northern Irishman did, however, give an update on the fitness of Daniel Sturridge, who played just 11 minutes of the Merseyside derby.
The official Liverpool FC website quote Rodgers as saying, “He has certainly trained very hard this week. We’ve got another day to go to prepare and see where all the players are at.
“I like to give all the players every chance to show that they can be in the team. He has worked exceptionally well and, when he does that, his quality is there for everyone to see.”
Aside from that, Rodgers aid he had no other major injury concerns.
Meanwhile, Hull boss Steve Bruce told press in his pre-match press conference that he believes Brendan Rodgers keeping hold of Luis Suarez at Liverpool this year was the Reds’ boss’s biggest achievement yet.
“I think that was his biggest achievement so far, turning that situation around because it must have been difficult at times,” Bruce is quoted by the Independent as saying.
“I think they were adamant that they were holding on to their best player and any club, if they’ve got aspirations to go and compete at the top level and win the league, have to keep hold of their best players.
“Certainly Suarez is that for Liverpool.
“He has proved year in, year out that he’s as good a player as there is in the Premier League.”
HulL City vs Liverpool gets underway at 2pm on Sunday, 1st December 2013 and it’s live on Sky Sports.
Look out for more match build-up throughout the weekend on This Is AnfieldRory Fitzgerald’s tactical analysis of the Reds’ opponents.
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