Jon Flanagan won’t be defending or attacking Liverpool’s flanks anytime soon.
On Thursday, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers revealed that Flanagan has undergone surgery on his left knee, which will rule him out until November or December.
“Young Jon Flanagan, unfortunately, has just had an operation that will probably have him out for a few months — which is disappointing,” Rodgers said at a press conference, according to LiverpoolFC.com.
Flanagan, 21, hasn’t appeared in a game for Liverpool since the 2-1 win over Preston North End in a preseason exhibition game on July 20. Flanagan started having problems with fluid in his knee during the Reds’ preseason tour of the United States. Liverpool hoped to correct Flanagan’s knee issue with treatment, but it hasn’t responded as the club had hoped.
Flanagan earned a spot in Liverpool’s starting lineup last season and made the left-back position his own with a string of strong performances during the Reds’ title charge. The versatile fullback was expected to build on last season’s impressive campaign in 2014-15, but the knee injury is halting his progress for now.
Flanagan can play both the left- and right-fullback positions. Alberto Moreno, Javier Manquillo and Glen Johnson currently appear to be ahead of Flanagan in Rodgers’ pecking order.
