Liverpool FC are pleased to announce that defender Jon Flanagan has today penned a fresh contract extension with the club.

The injured Englishman has endured a full season on the sidelines but commits his future to the Reds ahead of a potential return to action in 2015-16.

A knee problem has prevented Flanagan from making a single first-team appearance in this campaign and building on his rapid progress the previous year.

But as he reported that the full-back would be out for 'six to nine months' earlier in May, Brendan Rodgers reiterated the Scouser's importance to the team.

And the manager told Liverpoolfc.com today: "It has just been unfortunate for him because he was about to sign a new deal just before the injury.

"Obviously his representatives and the club have been in talks, his deal was running out in the summer. He's a very important player for us.

"Medically, we have to look after him now as well because he's had quite a bad injury there that we've had to look at.

"But all the medics are saying that he's going to come back stronger and healthier. That's the most important thing.

"He has got a long road ahead of him over the next four to six months but I'm sure he'll get his rewards at the end of that.

"We're hoping that he can get back fit within the next year; it has been a long journey for him this last 18 months and in particular the last year of injury. Hopefully he can get back fit and get back into the team."

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Rodgers continued: "He has been a huge miss for us this season.

"Jon is a young player and it was probably difficult for him when I first came in, he didn't have a lot of opportunities and there weren't many opportunities to go on loan.

"But he's a wonderful example for all young players about perseverance. He kept working tirelessly in training to the point where I then felt he was ready to be put in.

"He played away at Arsenal in a game when Glen Johnson got injured late on, and did very well. Then after that the turning point for him was the derby game at Goodison where he was Man of the Match.

"From that, he never looked back. He was very impressive in his composure and calmness. I remember a performance at Old Trafford where he was exceptional.

"People talk about the goalscorers this year and absolutely the goalscorers that we miss, but we definitely missed Jon Flanagan in equal proportion. Because of his aggression, he's very tenacious and he's a very good footballer."