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Liverpool defender Jon Flanagan. PA Archive/Press Association Images

Liverpool defender Flanagan returns to action after 19-month injury absence

The England international hasn’t played a competitive game for his club since May 2014.

HE HASN’T PLAYED a competitive club game since the final day of the 2013-14 season so Liverpool fans will be pleased to learn that Jon Flanagan was back in the red shirt this afternoon.

Flanagan has been sidelined with a knee injury for most of the last 19 months, during which he managed just two appearances — a friendly against Brondby in July 2014 and a charity game back in March.

The 22-year-old defender, who was capped once by England, returned to full training earlier this month and played for Liverpool’s U21s in a friendly today against Fleetwood Town at the Kirkby Academy.

Flanagan started the game before being substituted after half an hour, but according to Liverpool Echo reporter James Pearce, “easing him back in gently was always the plan”.

Flanagan signed a new one-year contract with Liverpool back in May, so he’ll be keen to prove to manager Jurgen Klopp between now and the end of the season that he’s worthy of an extended deal.

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    Mute gary jordan
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    Feb 18th 2014, 2:31 PM

    Well he pretty much got hit by a car in the Wales game and was 100% in minutes !! He could get over anything in 48 hours !!

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    Mute Peter Slattery
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    Feb 18th 2014, 4:41 PM

    And if I remember correctly, the car is a write-off.

    214
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    Mute Niall Moonan
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    Feb 18th 2014, 2:38 PM

    Hopefully if won’t spread through the camp.

    117
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    Mute Figo murphy
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    Feb 18th 2014, 2:52 PM

    I can’t believe they’re out camping in this weather! Mad stuff!

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    Mute youknowimright
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    Feb 18th 2014, 2:28 PM

    In BOD we trust

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    Mute GATHERINGYOURMONEY14
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    Feb 19th 2014, 1:28 AM
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    Mute robby rottenest
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    Feb 18th 2014, 2:55 PM

    I’m sure Bod will recover- he’s seen worse. Great to see Donnacha back in camp and driving up the standards. Sounds like Schmidt has everyone playing for the collective.
    Can’t remember Ireland ever being able to lose a match and have such an outstanding points difference that the championship was still on.
    This, and Cole’s absence makes me quitely confident.
    Roll on that flight on friday. Twickers here we come.

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    Mute Druids Guess
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    Feb 18th 2014, 2:40 PM

    Who starts instead of O’Driscoll. Candidates are Marshall (a 12), Henshaw (Inexperienced / better fullback) Cave (untried) McFadden (better for sub role / better winger), Bowe (not fully fit / untried). I assume McFadden as cover last week is the likely call. Not sure if there is any outstanding candidate for this game but Cave as a natural 13 nearly gets my vote. When Payne becomes eligible in autumn he leapfrogs them all. Hopefully O’driscoll recovers because without him an edgy win will become a narrow loss

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    Mute Liam is ainm dumb
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    Feb 18th 2014, 3:56 PM

    If BOD out has to be Cave at 13, im a big Henshaw fan but he better suited to FB and his best performances for Connacht has been there

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    Mute Neil Dunn
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    Feb 18th 2014, 3:58 PM

    I’d agree with you on Cave. He’s a natural 13 who is in great form. If you can’t get in scoring the way he has been provincially this year, then you’re forever doomed.

    That said, I’d also like to see Madigan go in the centre. I continue to believe that might be his way to break in.

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    Mute Humphrey Jones
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    Feb 18th 2014, 4:54 PM

    Cave is injured.

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    Mute Jonathan Leonard
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    Feb 18th 2014, 5:58 PM

    Cat amongst the pigeons here but I would think there’s a real chance of Darcy to 13 and Marshall at 12.

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    Mute Chris Mcdonnell
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    Feb 18th 2014, 4:59 PM

    There’s a few options, joe had used Darcy at 13 before, pushing Marshall to 12.
    He could go for any of henshaw, cave or McFadden and of course joe being joe there’s always the option he has up his sleeve.
    If we can manage without PoC on the morning if a game then we can do the same without bod with a weeks notice.

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    Mute Ken O Con
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    Feb 18th 2014, 5:27 PM

    Big difference between England and Scotland though Chris. I’d prefer to have BoD there before any one else. Defensive ability if no other reason. I think it would upset the team a bit too.

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    Mute Piotrek Król
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    Feb 18th 2014, 2:55 PM

    Who’s Bug?

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    Mute Mossie Murphy
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    Feb 18th 2014, 3:54 PM

    And this is the start of the mind games.. Latest score = 1-0 to schmidt

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    Mute Gary Salmon
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    Feb 18th 2014, 6:32 PM

    Darcy to 13 and Luke Marshall at 12 if BOD isn’t fit? If I remember correctly Darcy made his debut in Paris in 2004 at 13 when BOD was injured

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    Mute Patrick Heavey
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    Feb 18th 2014, 6:20 PM

    Trimble can cover outside centre, McFadden to the wing Henshaw to the bench.

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    Mute Lord Scramoge
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    Feb 18th 2014, 8:32 PM

    It will be Henshaw if BO D is out, good game to try him out. If your good enough your old enough as they say

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    Mute Ina Smidiríní
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    Feb 18th 2014, 4:39 PM

    Odriscolls vertigo playing up again me thinks.

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    Mute Lee Smith
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    Feb 19th 2014, 11:35 AM

    Does anyone here know where the Ireland rugby team usually train? I know that Leinster and Munster have their own facilities at the University College grounds and the Ireland football team uses Malahide’s facilities at Ganon Park. Anyone?

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    Mute Sarah Collier
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    Feb 18th 2014, 9:04 PM

    Who’s bug?

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