Jürgen Klopp has revealed he played a part in the decision to award Jon Flanagan a new three-year contract at Liverpool.
Flanagan, who has recently returned to the first-team squad following a 20-month injury lay-off, signed the deal on Friday having entered the final four months of his current contract before reaching an agreement on the extension.
The 23-year-old has endured a torrid time with knee problems but having impressed Klopp in his five appearances for Liverpool since January, the manager encouraged the club to secure Flanagan’s services until 2019.
Klopp said: “I was a bit involved in these negotiations. We are happy especially for Flanno – with a long-term injury it can be difficult and this is better for Flanno. There are other full-backs in the world, but not so many scousers. He is our boy and we are really happy. I am not involved in the numbers but, of course, I was involved in the decision that we wanted to offer him a new contract and what kind of contract.”
Flanagan told Liverpool’s official website: “It’s brilliant. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do since I was a child. I think this is my third professional contract now, so I’m really pleased.
“I’ve been through a lot in the last two years with the injury and everything else around it, and maybe a few people thought my future was in doubt and stuff like that. But I’ve worked hard and this is just a bonus at the end of that.”
On Klopp’s influence, Flanagan added: “He’s been massive. He’s been a brilliant help. When he came in, I was injured but he’s stuck by me, you could say. He’s had faith in me and when the time has come, he’s put me in and had faith in me. I can only thank him.”
Alberto Moreno will have a second scan on Friday on the hamstring problem that kept him out of Thursday’s Europa League tie at Manchester United. A first scan on Wednesday showed no injury but the Spanish defender “felt pain and we couldn’t take a risk”, said Klopp, who will await Friday’s assessment before finalising his squad for Sunday’s game at Southampton.
