Flanagan: I'll help Gomez stay positive over injury
Joe Gomez can count on advice from Liverpool teammate Jon Flanagan during his injury lay-off, the Scouse defender has promised.
Reds boss Jürgen Klopp confirmed on Thursday that Gomez had sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury to his right knee during the international break that is likely to keep him sidelined for a lengthy period.
Flanagan is all too familiar with the heartbreak of suffering such a blow, having picked up a similar injury in April which he is still working hard to return from.
And the full-back says he will be on hand to offer advice to his stricken colleague as he starts out on the road to recovery.
"I'm devastated for him, I know what it's like to be in his situation with a long-term injury," Flanagan told Liverpoolfc.com.
"I spoke to him yesterday and just told him to stay positive and if he ever needs any advice to come and see me, don't hesitate.
"I know it's going to be tough for him but he's got to stay positive."
Flanagan last featured for the first team in the final game of the 2013-14 season, a 2-1 win over Newcastle at Anfield.
On his own recovery process, he added: "It's been going well. It's obviously been a frustrating time since last year when I got the injury.
"I'm back running now and hopefully I can push on and get back in the team in a couple of months.
"I've just got to progress and get myself fit, building up my leg strength. [December] is the aim - if all goes well that's the plan.
"Nobody wants to be out injured full stop but for the amount of time I've been out it's been very frustrating.
"I'm always there supporting the lads, you always want to be playing but you can't be and you've got to give the lads the support.
"You've got to stay positive. It's mentally tough but I'm mentally strong."
When the 22-year-old returns from his injury, he will have to adapt to a new way of working under the recently appointed Klopp.
Flanagan has already held positive conversations with the German and says he is looking forward to learning from him.
"He's been in four days now and I spoke to him a couple of times and had a few meetings," he continued.
"He seems great and I just can't wait to get working with him.
"His enthusiasm [has stood out], he loves the game and he is a winner as we know from Dortmund. Hopefully he can bring that to Liverpool."