Liverpool handed massive injury boost ahead of Arsenal clash

Liverpool have been handed a much-needed fitness boost ahead of Wednesday night’s clash against Arsenal after Jon Flanagan successfully stepped up his return from injury.

The 22-year-old defender completed 45 minutes of Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Southampton Under-21s at Staplewood training ground on Monday night.

Flanagan had already got 75 minutes of competitive action under his belt in recent weeks after making his tentative comeback from a 19-month injury lay-off.

The Liverpool right-back injured his knee in the summer of 2014 and hasn’t featured for the Merseyside outfit since the final game of the 2013/14 under former manager Brendan Rodgers.

Former Reds full-back Rob Jones, whose own Liverpool career was cut short due to a longstanding knee injury, delivered an update on Flanagan.

Another 45 mins for @jon_flan93 and 3 points for the 21s, so all in all a good night 👏🏻👏🏻 #LFC

— Rob Jones (@RobjonesLFC2) January 11, 2016

Flanagan, who was part of the Reds’s League Cup-winning squad in 2012, scored one goal in 25 Premier League appearances during the 2013/14 season.

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The Liverpool youngster will have to dislodge right-back Nathaniel Clyne or left-back Alberto Moreno to get back in Jurgen Klopp’s side.