Jon Flanagan Signs New Contract With Liverpool; Reportedly One-Year Extension

Jon Flanagan has more time to resurrect his promising career with Liverpool FC.

Flanagan signed a new contract with Liverpool on Thursday, according to the club website. Flanagan has missed all of the 2014-15 season due to a persistent knee problem, but Liverpool re-signed him with hopes he can rediscover the stellar form he showed during the second half of last season.

“It has just been unfortunate for him because he was about to sign a new deal just before the injury,” manager Brendan Rodgers told LiverpoolFC.com. “Obviously his representatives and the club have been in talks. His deal was running out in the summer. He’s a very important player for us.”

Flanagan, 22, will be out of action until at least October, as he recovers from knee surgery. Flanagan then will have to battle his way back into contention for playing time — something he did with aplomb 18 months ago when he was healthy.

“Jon is a young player, and it was probably difficult for him when I first came in. He didn’t have a lot of opportunities, and there weren’t many opportunities to go on loan,” Rodgers said. “But he’s a wonderful example for all young players about perseverance. He kept working tirelessly in training to the point where I then felt he was ready to be put in.”

Flanagan’s new contract is a one-year extension of his previous deal, according to the BBC and The Liverpool Echo.

Flanagan likely will be one of few players with roots in the local community who plays in Liverpool’s first team next season.