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Jon Flanagan has revealed he’s close to signing a new long-term contract as the young Liverpool FC defender looks to put a frustrating summer behind him.

The 21-year-old full-back has been forced to sit and watch the Reds’ opening two Premier League matches due to a knee injury he suffered in pre-season.

Having firmly established himself in Brendan Rodgers’ side in the second half of last term, missing the early stages of the new campaign has been tough for the Academy graduate to take.

However, the manager is delivering on his promise to hand Flanagan a new deal and now the youngster is on the comeback trail.

“There have been some talks and I should be signing a new contract soon,” Flanagan told the ECHO.

“It would be reward for all the hard work I’ve put in. It would be great for me and great for my family as well.

“All I’ve ever wanted is to play for Liverpool and I want to stay here for as long as I possibly can.”

Flanagan, whose current contract expires next summer, featured in the Reds’ opening friendlies against Brondby and Preston but wasn’t able to play any part during the tour of the States.

He ended up flying home for treatment, along with Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana, prior to the final of the International Champions Cup in Miami.

Sunday’s trip to White Hart Lane will come too soon for him but he hopes to be available for the home clash with Aston Villa following the international break.

“I’ve been struggling with fluid in my left knee,” he explained.

“I just felt it during the tour and it’s been a bit inflamed.

“It’s just something we have to be careful with.

“I want to be back out there but I can’t rush it. I need to make sure that when I do come back I’m 100%.

“I don’t think I’ll be back for this weekend but I’m hoping to be fit for the Villa game.

“The next couple of weeks should give me the chance to get back into full training and build up my fitness.”

The battle for the full-back spots has intensified during Flanagan’s spell on the sidelines.

Liverpool snapped up right-back Javier Manquillo on a two-year loan from Atletico Madrid with a view to a permanent deal.

And then Rodgers paid out £12million to secure the services of Sevilla left-back Alberto Moreno.

The Reds also have Jose Enrique back fit after he missed most of last season with a knee injury.

But Flanagan is unconcerned about the increased competition for places.

“A massive club like Liverpool are always going to sign top players,” he said.

“Moreno and Manquillo play in my position but that will just make me work harder.

“Having good players around you pushes you on.

“Hopefully I’ll get back in the team. Things went well for me last season and I want to build on that.”

The transformation in Flanagan’s career last term showed how quickly fortunes can change.

He hadn’t graced the Premier League for 19 months prior to his late call-up at Arsenal last November when Glen Johnson was sidelined with a jaw infection.

Flanagan’s gutsy display convinced Rodgers to turn to him once again when Enrique was ruled out ahead of the derby at Goodison.

He produced a man of the match performance and aside from a month out due to a hamstring strain over the festive period he was a regular for the rest of the campaign.

Flanagan’s consistency during the Reds’ title challenge was rewarded when Roy Hodgson named him on the standby list for England’s World Cup squad.

He earned his first cap when he came off the bench in the warm-up friendly against Ecuador in Miami.

“I just kept my head down, worked hard and finally I got a chance,” Flanagan said.

“Last season couldn’t have gone any better for me. Playing for Eng land was another great experience. I didn’t expect to get on. It was an amazing way for the season to finish.”

Sunday’s clash with Tottenham will bring back memories of the greatest day of Flanagan’s blossoming career.

Last December he struck his first senior goal with an emphatic finish from Luis Suarez’s cross as the Reds thrashed Spurs 5-0 in the capital.

“That was a special moment for me,” he said.

“Team wise, everything clicked on the day and to get a goal was just a brilliant feeling.

“I’m just gutted I won’t be involved there this season.

“Spurs look strong and will be looking to get back in the Champions League places this season.

“But Sunday is the chance for us to go there and put a marker down by getting the three points.”

Flanagan sat alongside new £16million striker Mario Balotelli in the directors’ box at the Etihad Stadium on Monday night and is excited about the prospect of watching the Italian make his debut on Sunday.

“Mario is a good lad,” he added.

“I travelled down to the game with him and he seems a nice guy.

“We all hope he will do well for us. I think he’s going to a big success here.

“He’s a big lad, he’s strong and he’s a goal scorer.

“The mood in the squad is still good. There were a lot of positives we could take from the City game.

“We were disappointed we didn’t get anything out of it but the lads will be ready for Spurs.”

Flanno pays a special visit to Respect 4 All summer camp

Jon Flanagan paid a special visit to the Liverpool FC Foundation’s Respect 4 All summer camp.

The young full-back, along with Liverpool Ladies defender Martha Harris and Reds Academy defender Ryan McLaughlin, met participants enjoying a coaching session at North Liverpool Academy.

“It’s always great to come down to events like this and see the work the club’s coaches do in the community,” Flanagan said.

“We get amazing support from the fans and as players we’re always happy to give a bit back. Presenting them with their certificates to recognise their hard work over the summer was really rewarding.”

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The Respect 4 All programme, which run five days a week during school term time, delivers free impairment-specific multi-sport classes to more than 200 children and adults in Liverpool and Wirral every week.

The classes cater for children aged eight to 16 and and adults with severe learning difficulties, visual and physical impairment, and wheelchair users.

Established in 2004, they are based at St Margaret’s CE School in Aigburth and Woodchurch High School in Wirral.

Mark Haig, Liverpool FC Foundation’s head of operations, said: “Everyone here has got some sort of impairment, which is challenging in their life, but our coaches work with them on a weekly basis to get them playing football and doing physical activity.

“It’s brilliant for the youngsters who get to engage with our staff and great for their families who get some help and some time out.

“It’s part of our social inclusion programme where we offer football skills and coaching to everybody in the community no matter what level of ability.

“Having Jon, Martha and Ryan here created a real buzz.

“For youngsters to see players taking the time out to come and support the programme is very motivational.”