Boss hails Flanagan's return as 'best news'
Jürgen Klopp described Jon Flanagan's return to first-team action on Wednesday night with a 40-minute appearance against Exeter City as one of the best pieces of news possible.
The Liverpool defender ended a 619-day spell on the sidelines when he was introduced as a substitute early in the second half of a 3-0 victory over the League Two side.
Joe Allen, Sheyi Ojo and Joao Carlos Teixeira scored the goals in the replay to send the Reds into the fourth round, where they will host West Ham United on January 30.
Flanagan’s comeback was the icing on the cake – and Klopp was delighted to see the No.38’s hard work rewarded with a memorable welcome back from the sold-out crowd.
The manager said: “When Flanno came in it was a great moment, after this long time.
“I haven’t had him too often in training until now because we need to really be careful with him. Too high intensity is not allowed, so it’s always training, break, training, break, recovery. He had a few minutes in the U21s.
“Connor Randall had a little problem with a muscle and it was the opportunity for us to bring Flanno on. It was a really emotional moment.
“The whole stadium stood up and clapped their hands. It was really good and nobody deserved it more than him. It’s such a long time, an unbelievably long time.
“Since I’ve been here he was always injured – but never in a bad mood! That’s unbelievable. He is a really strong lad.
“Hopefully, now it goes on. We have to see how he feels tomorrow and take it day by day. But it is one of the best [pieces of] news we could get that he’s back.”
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