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Jon Flanagan has been handed the honour of captaining Liverpool in their Premier League clash with Southampton at St Mary's.

The full-back will lead the Reds out for the first time - some two days after penning a new three-year contract with his boyhood club.

Flanagan takes the armband from skipper Jordan Henderson, who misses out against Saints due to illness.

Vice-captain James Milner is also sidelined as he serves a one-match suspension.

It promises to be a proud afternoon for Academy graduate Flanagan, who returns to the side after being ineligible for the Europa League showdown with Manchester United.

Flanagan returned to action in January after a nightmare 18-month battle with a knee injury.

He becomes the record ninth player to captain Liverpool this season, the eighth under Klopp.

Joe Allen became the seventh to wear the armband under Klopp against West Ham in the FA Cup.

Captain Jordan Henderson and vice-captain James Milner have also been joined by Kolo Toure for the Capital One Cup tie against Bournemouth, Lucas for the Crystal Palace vist to Anfield in November and Southampton in the Capital One Cup, while Christian Benteke wore the armband at Exeter, with Jose Enrique eading the team out for the replay.

Liverpool's captains reach record levels