Jon Flanagan

Jon Flanagan

Flanagan training with Liverpool in 2014
Personal information
Full name Jonathon Patrick Flanagan[1]
Date of birth (1993-01-01) 1 January 1993[2]
Place of birth Liverpool, England
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[3]
Playing position Full-back
Club information
Current team
Liverpool
Number 38
Youth career
0000–2010 Liverpool
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010– Liverpool 38 (1)
National team
2011 England U19 1 (0)
2013 England U20 1 (0)
2011 England U21 3 (0)
2014 England 1 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21:28, 1 April 2016 (UTC).
† Appearances (goals)

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 21:28, 1 April 2016 (UTC)

Jonathon Patrick "Jon" Flanagan (born 1 January 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a full-back for Premier League club Liverpool and the England national team. He made his debut for Liverpool in a 3–0 win against Manchester City on 11 April 2011 at the age of 18. He earned the nickname of "Scouse Cafu" during 2014.

Personal life

Flanagan was born in Liverpool, Merseyside.[2] He is the nephew of former Blackburn Rovers right-back Bradley Orr.[4]

Club career

Liverpool

Early career

While still in the U18 side, he made his reserve debut at Hull City in March 2010. Promoted to the reserve team at the start of the 2010–11 season, he first featured in the Lancashire Senior Cup triumph over Oldham Athletic. He was subsequently picked out as one of the reserve team to watch by The Times sport writer Tony Barrett.[5]

2010–11 season

Flanagan made his first team debut when he started the Premier League match against Manchester City at Anfield on 11 April 2011 being handed the no. 38 shirt, playing at right back. Liverpool went on to win the game 3–0, with the 18-year-old playing the full 90 minutes.[6]

"The young boy is not bad. For us that is really encouraging as well because it is a reflection of the work that is being done at the academy and if we have a strong academy it can only benefit us for years to come."
Kenny Dalglish commenting on his debut.[7]

Flanagan continued his spell in the first team to cover for the long term injuries of Martin Kelly and Glen Johnson, making his second start the following weekend and playing the full match in a 1–1 draw at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal, a game in which he accidentally knocked out stand-in captain Jamie Carragher through a clash of heads. The incident did not faze the 18 year old as he gave an assured performance. In the following home match against Birmingham City, alongside fellow Liverpool Academy graduate Jack Robinson, Flanagan again played the full 90 minutes and helped Liverpool to keep a clean sheet in a 5–0 win.[8] His performance earned him a place in BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks's Premier League team of the week.[9] In Flanagan's 5th start for Liverpool he was employed as a left back against Fulham, Liverpool winning the match 5–2. His next match against Tottenham resulted in him conceding a controversial penalty for minimal contact on Tottenham's Steven Pienaar. Liverpool lost the match 2–0, and thus falling out of a Europa League spot with one game left of the season and a point behind Tottenham. Flanagan was awarded young player of the 2010–2011 season for his consistent contribution at right-back. He was delighted to receive this award, and said there were a number of names that helped him to progress so much. He quoted after receiving the reward "I would first of all like to thank the gaffer, Dalglish. He believed in me, and decided I was good enough for the starting line up, and I couldn't wish for a better manager to play under". On 8 July 2011 Flanagan signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool.[10]

2011–12 season

Flanagan playing for Liverpool in 2011

Flanagan played the full 90 minutes in Liverpool's opening Premier League game of the season at home to Sunderland. The game ended 1–1.[11] Flanagan played the full 90 minutes in Liverpool's 3–1 away win against Exeter City in the League Cup and made a late substitute appearance away to Brighton & Hove Albion in the following round of the same competition. He made his eleventh Reds appearance a week after his 19th birthday, replacing Fabio Aurelio in Liverpool's 5–1 win over Oldham Athletic in the third round of the FA Cup. Flanagan returned to the side on 24 March against Wigan Athletic in the Premier League in the absence of injured duo Glen Johnson and Martin Kelly. Flanagan retained his place, playing the full ninety minutes in Liverpool's next two league games, before being substituted for Brad Jones in the 26th minute against Blackburn Rovers after his short back pass had led to Doni being sent off. Liverpool won the game 3–2.[12]

2012–13 season

On 19 September, Flanagan was one of the clutch of teenagers to travel to Switzerland to play Young Boys in a Europa League group game. Flanagan was not named in the match day squad. On 8 November, he made his first appearance of the season in the starting XI against Anzhi Makhachkala in the Europa League. He played the full 90 minutes in the 1–0 loss at Moscow. Flanagan struggled through the season with injuries and was forced to miss a lot of games for the under-21s.

2013–14 season

Flanagan made his first start in the Premier League for 18 months in the away visit to Arsenal on 2 November after illness forced Glen Johnson out of the squad. Johnson's illness, coupled with Jose Enrique's injury, led to Flanagan starting in the left back position in a reshuffled defence. Flanagan made his Merseyside derby debut, a 3–3 draw away at Everton, on 23 November in a performance that was praised by his teammate Steven Gerrard, who said that the Liverpool players gave Flanagan a round of applause when he came into the dressing room after the game.[13] Flanagan retained his place at left back in the next game against Hull City and was again praised for his performance, despite the match ending in a 3–1 defeat, with manager Brendan Rodgers describing his performance as "outstanding".[14] Flanagan scored his first goal for Liverpool with a powerful half volley in a 5–0 win away at Tottenham Hotspur on 15 December.[15] Flanagan retained his place against Cardiff City on 21 December but was replaced early in the second half by Martin Kelly due to a tight hamstring which subsequently ruled him out of Liverpool's festive fixtures.[16] On 16 March, he put in an assured display at Old Trafford against Liverpool's arch rivals Manchester United, which led to Manager Brendan Rodgers comparing him to former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol, another right-footed defender who played well on the left side.[17]

2014–15 season

Flanagan did not make a single appearance for Liverpool during preseason due to a buildup of fluid on the knee. Initially scheduled to return to first team training in early September, on 18 September Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers confirmed that Flanagan had undergone corrective surgery on his left knee and would miss the opening months of the season.[18][19] On 29 March 2015, Flanagan made his return from injury playing 30 minutes in a Liverpool All-Star charity game at Anfield.[20] However, after scans highlighted a new problem Flanagan underwent another knee operation in April keeping him out for a further six to nine months.[21] On 21 May 2015, Flanagan signed a 12-month contract extension with Liverpool to continue his rehabilitation.[22]

2015–16 season

In December 2015 Flanagan returned to full training with the Liverpool first team squad.[23] On 20 January 2016, Flanagan made his first appearance in a Liverpool match day squad for 619 days, in a FA Cup Third Round Replay, coming off the bench as a 49th minute substitute in a 3–0 victory over Exeter City.[24] Seven days later, Flanagan started in a League Cup semi-final match against Stoke City and played for 105 minutes. After Liverpool winning on penalties manager Jurgen Klopp hailed Flanagan as his man of the match.[25] On 18 March 2016, he signed a new long-term contract through 2019.[26]

On 20 March 2016, Flanagan captained Liverpool in a Premier League match against Southampton at St. Mary's Stadium.[27]

International career

In May 2011, he was called up to the England Under-19 squad for the first time,[28] although he had to withdraw due to a calf injury.[29] In August 2011, he was named in the provisional squad for England's 2013 Under-21s qualifying matches for the first time.[30] He made his debut in the 6–0 win over Azerbaijan.

On 28 May 2013, he was named in manager Peter Taylor's 21-man squad for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup.[31] He made his debut on 16 June, in a 3–0 win in a warm-up game against Uruguay.[32] On 12 May 2014 he was named as one of 7 reserves for England's 2014 FIFA World Cup squad and trained with the squad at their pre tournament training camp in Portugal.[33]

On 4 June 2014, Flanagan made his England senior debut, replacing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the second half of a friendly against Ecuador in the United States.[34] For the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Flanagan was announced by Roy Hodgson as one of the standby players.

Before making his senior debut, Flanagan was also eligible for the Republic of Ireland through his grandparents. In November 2013, it was reported that Ireland manager Martin O'Neill wanted him to declare.[35]

Style of play

Flanagan has earned numerous plaudits for his style of play since his breakthrough into the Liverpool first team in November 2013; most notably, the World Cup-winning former Brazil captain and full-back Cafu heralded Flanagan as his "successor", applauding his "speed, strength and determination" and stating he "has everything required to be one of the best full-backs in the world".[36][37][38] This has led to fans dubbing Flanagan as "the Scouse Cafu"[39][40]

Career statistics

Club

Flanagan after winning with Liverpool in the 2012 League Cup Final
As of match played 20 March 2016.
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Liverpool 2010–11[41] Premier League 7000000070
2011–12[42] Premier League 50102080
2012–13[43] Premier League 0010001[lower-alpha 1]020
2013–14[44] Premier League 2312000251
2014–15[45] Premier League 0000000000
2015–16[46] Premier League 3020100060
Career total 381603010481
  1. Appearance in UEFA Europa League

International

As of match played 4 June 2014.[47]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
England 201410
Total10

Honours

Club

Liverpool

References

  1. "Flanagan: Jonathon Patrick Flanagan". BDFutbol. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Jon Flanagan". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  3. "Player Profile". Premier League. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  4. "Toronto FC defender set to cheer on nephew in marquee EPL matchup". The Globe and Mail. 2014-04-11. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  5. "One to watch:John Flanagan". liverpoolfc.tv. 25 July 2010. Retrieved 2011-04-10.
  6. Hunter, Andy (12 April 2011). "Andy Carroll at double tempo leads Liverpool rout of Manchester City". The Guardian (London). Retrieved 12 April 2011.
  7. "Dalglish praises youngsters". Sky Sports. 12 April 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
  8. "Maxi nets treble in Reds rout - Liverpool FC". Liverpoolfc.tv. 2011-04-23. Retrieved 2013-12-08.
  9. Crooks, Garth (24 April 2011). "Garth Crooks' team of the week". BBC News.
  10. "Flanagan signs long term contract extension". Liverpool FC. 8 July 2011.
  11. Magowan, Alistair (13 August 2011). "Liverpool 1–1 Sundeland". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 16 September 2011.
  12. Jurejko, Jonathan (10 April 2012). "Blackburn 2–3 Liverpool". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  13. James Pearce (2013-11-24). "Steven Gerrard praises Jon Flanagan as Liverpool FC's Merseyside Derby star man". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 2013-12-08.
  14. James Pearce (2013-12-03). "Liverpool FC Brendan Rodgers still searching for right defensive combination ahead of clash with Norwich". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 2013-12-08.
  15. "Tottenham Hotspur 0-5 Liverpool". BBC Sport. 15 December 2013. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
  16. "Gerrard on track for early Reds return". Liverpool Echo. 26 December 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  17. King, Dominic (20 March 2014). "Fearless Flanagan set to be rewarded with new bumper deal at Liverpool". Mail Online. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  18. ]. "Liverpool's Jon Flanagan ruled out for months after knee surgery | Football News". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  19. Pearce, James (2014-09-18). "Jon Flanagan facing extended absence from Liverpool FC action after operation on his left knee". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  20. "Photo: Season-long Liverpool injury victim Jon Flanagan back in action at Anfield". Hereisthecity.com. 2015-03-29. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  21. "Liverpool: Jon Flanagan out for six to nine months". BBC Sport. 2015-04-30. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  22. "Flanagan seals new Liverpool contract". Liverpool FC. 2015-05-21. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  23. Pearce, James (2015-12-11). "Liverpool FC injury boost as Jon Flanagan set for return to full training". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  24. Lewis, Aimee (20 January 2016). "Liverpool set up a fourth-round FA Cup tie against West Ham as they easily saw off League Two Exeter at Anfield.". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  25. Kelly, Andy (2016-01-26). "Jurgen Klopp: Flanagan was my man of the match - it was unbelievable to play 105 minutes". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  26. "Jon Flanagan signs new long-term LFC deal". Liverpool FC. Retrieved 2016-03-18.
  27. Pearce, James. "Flanagan will captain Liverpool FC today". liverpoolecho. Retrieved 2016-03-20.
  28. "Six young guns earn England call". Liverpool FC. 10 May 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
  29. "Injury ends Liverpool FC youngster John Flanagan’s hopes of making his England under-19s debut this week.". Liverpool Echo. 30 May 2011. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  30. "Five Reds get England U21 call". Liverpool FC. 24 August 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
  31. "Final squad named" TheFA.com. 28 May 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  32. "Training win for Three Lions" TheFA.com. 16 June 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  33. "England World Cup squad 2014: Ross Barkley and Raheem Sterling called up | Football". The Guardian. 2014-05-12. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  34. "Ecuador 2-2 England". BBC Sport. 4 June 2014.
  35. "Martin O'Neill wants Liverpool's Jon Flanagan for Ireland". Newstalk. 28 November 2013.
  36. "Cafu makes Liverpool 2005 admission; lauds Flanagan". Football365. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  37. "Cafu: I see my style of play in Jon Flanagan". liverpoolfc.tv. 17 May 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  38. "Cafu: Jon Flanagan can become one of best full backs in the world at Liverpool FC". Liverpool Echo. 7 October 2015. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
  39. "The real Cafu meets 'the Scouse Cafu'". Liverpoolfc.com. 10 May 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  40. "Scouse Cafu and Original Cafu, Together at Last". SBnation.com. 6 May 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  41. "Games played by Jon Flanagan in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  42. "Games played by Jon Flanagan in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  43. "Games played by Jon Flanagan in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  44. "Games played by Jon Flanagan in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  45. "Games played by Jon Flanagan in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  46. "Games played by Jon Flanagan in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  47. "Flanagan, Jon". National Football Teams. Retrieved 1 April 2016.

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