Brazilian legend Cafu took to Twitter to mark the long-awaited return from injury of his”friend” Jon Flanagan after the Liverpool fullback came off the bench against Exeter City to play his first senior game for the Reds in 20 months.
The highly-rated 23-year-old, who played 40 minutes of the 3-0 FA Cup win at Anfield, has been dubbed “the Scouse Cafu” by Kopites and came to the attention of two-time World Cup winner Cafu during his breakthrough season in 2013-14.
Flanagan was key to helping Liverpool finished second in the Barclays Premier League that term and Cafu has kept an eye on the Englishman ever since.
The Brazilian took to social media on Wednesday night to react to Flanagan’s return from a long-term knee injury.
Cafu met with Flanagan back in 2014 and gave the young defender a signed Brazil shirt.
“I first started hearing about him by watching Premier League matches and observing his performance along with other players,” the 45-year-old LFC TV at the time.
“I then started seeing some news saying he is the Red Cafu! So there’s nothing better than coming to the city and taking a picture with my successor.”
“He is a good player; still young and developing, but already gaining recognition at Liverpool and he might even have an opportunity with the English national team. He’ll be a great English player in the future.
“He has speed, strength and determination. He’s an athlete who goes after it and never gives it up. That’s exactly what I used to do; there were no missing chances for me, no tiredness and no being dejected.
“I see that style in him too. I hope he continues that way and achieves as many trophies as I did.”
Read more on Flanagan’s return on LFCXtra >>
Thumbnail photo via LiverpoolFC.com
