Liverpool injury news: Defender to return to training to improve Klopp’s options

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Jon Flanagan will return to Liverpool training next week after his 18-month injury horror.

The defender has not played for the Reds since May 2014 because of back-to-back knee operations.

However, his long-awaited comeback could be just around the corner, with the Liverpool Echo reporting that Flanagan will link up with the squad on Tuesday ahead of their trip to Watford.

The 22-year-old emerged as a Kop favourite when he played 24 times in the 2013-14 season as the Merseysiders came agonisingly close to winning their first Premier League title under Brendan Rodgers.

And his passion and energy means that Jurgen Klopp is sure to value Flanagan just as much in the second half of the campaign as Liverpool aim to compete in four different competitions.

Flanagan’s return will greatly boost Klopp’s full-back options, which have been stretched because of an injury to Joe Gomez which will rule the summer signing out for the season, according to the Daily Mail.

Nathaniel Clyne and Alberto Moreno have their spots nailed down, but Klopp has been forced to use teenagers Brad Smith and Connor Randall when wanting to give his first-choice full-backs a rest.

Flanagan, who made his England debut in a friendly against Ecuador prior to the 2014 World Cup, can provide cover on both flanks and could emerge as a key figure under Klopp when he is fighting fit.

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More Stories Alberto Moreno Brad Smith Brendan Rodgers Connor Randall Joe Gomez Jon Flanagan Jurgen Klopp nathaniel clyne