Riise and more: Twitter reacts as Flanagan captains Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp handed Jon Flanagan the captain’s armband to cap a special week for the Liverpool defender at St Mary’s.

The 23-year-old put pen to paper on a new three-year contract on Friday afternoon after the Reds defender made his return from a long-term knee injury earlier this year.

The Liverpool manager opted to make Flanagan skipper for the game against Southampton after Klopp rested Jordan Henderson following their mid-week Europa League exploits.

Unsurprisingly, Klopp earned plenty of praise for his popular decision to make the Liverpool youth graduate his captain for the Premier League clash.

However, Flanagan wasn’t able to inspire the Reds to victory after Liverpool surrendered a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 to Southampton.

Champions League winner John Arne Riise was among the first to congratulate Liverpool’s latest skipper:

Big congrats to @jon_flan93 for signing new deal and for being captain today. Well deserved mate. Although I would have given you 5 years

— John Arne Riise (@JARiiseOfficial) March 20, 2016

Ex-Liverpool striker Neil Mellor reflects on a special week for the young Scouser:

Big week for Jon Flanagan after signing new deal also captains LFC for 1st time. Origi and Sturridge start for first time together in PL

— Neil Mellor (@NeilMellor33) March 20, 2016

Flanagan’s team-mate Jordan Rossiter is a fan of Klopp’s decision to make the England defender captain:

Brilliant 👍👏 https://t.co/QUjFolabjz

— Jordan Rossiter (@jordan_rossiter) March 20, 2016

Even Irish bookmaker Paddy Power have their say:

Beatles t shirt on Friday, made Jon Flanagan captain today. Klopp just needs to say f*ck Thatcher and he'll be given the freedom of the city

— Paddy Power (@paddypower) March 20, 2016

Finally, comedian Darren Farley speaks for all Liverpool supporters:

Great to see Jon Flanagan with the captaincy, What a proud day for the lad and his family, Totally deserved 👍

— Darren Farley (@DFImpressionist) March 20, 2016