Klopp wants Liverpool youngster to leave Anfield and have decided his future
Jul 21, 2016 at 12:24 PM
Jurgen Klopp believes Jon Flanagan would benefit from a move away from Anfield to play first-team football for at least a year.
The 23-year-old defender is now considering a loan move to Burnley.
The full-back was left out of the pre-season squad to face Huddersfield on Wednesday night and has been given an opportunity to join the Premier League new boys for a year.
The Liverpool Eco report that the German manager believes the 23-year-old would benefit from a one-year loan spell away from Anfield to enhance his credential as first-team regular.
Flanagan returned to action in January after a nightmare 18-month battle with a knee injury.
He impressed Klopp to such an extent he was rewarded with a new three-year deal in March and the Reds boss still sees Flanagan as part of his long-term plans.
Flanagan has proved his fitness in pre-season by not missing a single training session.
However, with Nathaniel Clyne established as the club’s first-choice right-back and Liverpool not having European football this season, Klopp has come to the conclusion that a spell away from his boyhood club would be better for Flanagan’s development rather than an extended spell on the bench.
Flanagan has been involved with every preseason training session so far. He’s been running and competing, so he should be looking at playing matches. He can have a good season, actually playing somewhere. Develop the rhythm of playing every week. Different opponents every week. Tactical match-ups every week.
Cameron Brannagan (hamstring) and Joel Matip (foot) were also absent from the travelling squad for the 2-0 win against Huddersfield but both are ready to fly to America for the pre-season tour on Thursday.