Knee injuries now have ended Jon Flanagan’s 2014-15 season before it had a chance to start.
Flanagan underwent knee surgery Tuesday and won’t be available to play for Liverpool or any other club for six to nine months, Sky Sports and the Liverpool Echo reported Wednesday.
Flanagan, 22, initially injured his knee in preseason. After treatment failed to cure build-up of fluid in the joint, Flanagan had surgery in November. He reportedly was close to returning in March but suffered another setback. Flanagan now will be out until at least November, and his Liverpool future is unclear.
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Flanagan’s contract expires after this season. Manager Brendan Rodgers said last month Liverpool would sign the young fullback to a new deal. While Flanagan’s surgery could change the direction of negotiations, the Telegraph reports the club will “retain him on a month-to-month deal until his recovery is complete.”
Flanagan played a major role in Liverpool’s challenge for the Premier League title in 2013-14. He played 17 games in the second half of the season, earning widespread plaudits as he helped Liverpool come agonizingly close to ending its lengthy title drought.
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Flanagan has played 42 games for Liverpool and one for England’s national team in his career. Those totals won’t be increasing any time soon, and it remains to be seen how big a part of Liverpool’s future Flanagan will be.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@MailSport