Would a Rodgers reunion at Celtic reignite this Liverpool man’s career?

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Having shot to fame from the depths of the reserves to the Liverpool first team as they fought for the Premier League title in the 2013-14 season, it would be fair to say that the last two seasons have been underwhelming for full-back Jon Flanagan.

A devastating knee injury put the Scouser out of action until the second half of the 2015-16 season, delaying his chance to cement his place in the first team and adding the extra complication of having to impress a new boss in the form of Jurgen Klopp. Whilst the departure of Glen Johnson could have propelled the youngster into being one of the first names on the team sheet and under England consideration, his injury meant that an alternative had to be sought, and Nathaniel Clyne is one of the Premier League’s best right backs, providing yet more stiff competition.

Having made eight appearances last season, Flanagan’s comeback is picking up pace, and he will undoubtedly be hoping to force his ways into Jurgen Klopp’s plans for the coming season. Competition is tough, with not just Clyne but also Alberto Moreno at left back, and the injured Joe Gomez able to deputise in both wide positions as well as centrally, with a number of other youngsters having played at times last season and rumours about Liverpool looking for another left back.

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With the Scottish Sun claiming that Brendan Rodgers is keen to reunite with the defender, this could be the perfect opportunity for Flanagan to reignite his career. At Celtic, Flanagan would likely be first choice, and could gain vital experience, and it is highly likely that he would be at the very least competing for titles. Should the Hoops overturn their first leg defeat, he may also be able to take part in a Champions League campaign to make up for the one he missed through injury in 2014-15.

Such experience is invaluable, and Flanagan could well return to Liverpool a much more rounded player should the spell be a loan move. It’s worth considering though, that the quality of opposition would be lower, and even if Flanagan is not selected for the bigger games at Anfield, he is likely to be tested more against mid table to lower half Premier League teams than some teams in the SPL. For him, that may make a significant difference in his desire to return to the England set up under a new boss, or if the move is a permanent one, whether he would be able to return to the highest level in England again after such a move.

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The question remains whether or not Jurgen Klopp would be willing to let him go. It’s true that he did not figure in the first choice eleven last season, but that is as expected as Flanagan continued his return from injury. One indicator would be that Klopp gave the 23 year old the captain’s armband for the March trip to St Mary’s, an honour for the local lad, who became one of the youngest players to captain the club in the progress.

Klopp is known to value his attitude, as one of the best trainers at the club, and thinks that he is more than capable of competing with the other players in the squad. It is also true though, that Liverpool continue to be linked with other full backs, and sources in the Scottish Sun claim that the German boss would be willing to let the once capped defender go for the right fee, principally in order to help him bring in one of his top targets in Leicester left back Ben Chilwell.

In working with Rodgers again, Flanagan could rely on the fact that it is a coach who values him, and he is likely to get much more game time, particularly with no European football at Anfield this term. However, the long term implications of such a move may not be so beneficial should he struggle to get straight into the first team upon his return to Anfield, and it still seems unlikely that Liverpool would let him go cheap. One thing is for sure though, that as the only local lad who is really considered a member of the first team squad, Liverpool fans would be sad to see him go.

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