Academy director Alex Inglethorpe has spoken of his huge admiration for Jon Flanagan and explained why the Scouser is a prime example of what an aspiring footballer at Liverpool FC should be.

The Kirkby graduate put pen to paper on a new contract with the club last week after working his way back from a serious injury.

Flanagan was out of action for 20 months due to a knee injury he picked up in 2014, but it’s that sheer determination to work hard and return to action which sets him out from the rest, according to Inglethorpe.

“Jon has shown the same sort of gritty determination when he has been injured as he does when he’s on the pitch,” Inglethorpe told Liverpoolfc.com.

“It’s not been an easy time for him but he has found a way to come back fit, fighting and play games in the first team, and that has been rewarded with a new contract by the club.

“I remember when I first worked closely with Flanno. I was in charge of the U21s and he was training at Melwood at the time but he came to the Academy for a few sessions with our group with Jack Robinson.

“Straight away I was impressed with his professionalism and his attitude to the game. He contests every ball and he plays every moment in training as he does in matches - there’s no difference whatsoever.

“It was a very happy time for me working with him during the games he played with the U21s.

“Shortly after, of course, he was in the first team, but during this period when he also dropped back to the U21 squad for a few games, not one time did he never want to play for the U21s.

“He didn’t complain or moan or show any signs of being impatient and he was a real model professional.

“When he got the first-team chance he had prepared himself mentally and physically to get that opportunity, and it was no surprise to me that he went on to play as many games as he did and continues to do so.”

Jürgen Klopp handed Flanagan the honour of captaining his boyhood team during last Sunday’s clash with Southampton at St Mary’s, and Inglethorpe insists the accolade was richly deserved.

“He is the sort of person you trust with the armband,” he added.

“He is someone who leads by example and teammates will follow. It was a proud moment not only for himself but also for his family who have been very supportive throughout.”

Inglethorpe admits he uses Flanagan as a role model for the crop of youngsters in the Kirkby corridors hoping to one day emulate the Scouser by making their first-team debut.

He added: “I am hoping Flanno is a huge inspiration to every player at the Academy because at times you do have a bit of a rollercoaster time as a young kid, and they should all look to Jon as a real example of someone who deals with the good times with dignity and the not-so-good times with dignity.

“He just gets on with it and does his work and doesn’t complain or moan.

“He faces every challenge head on, both on and off the pitch, and I think he is a great example to the boys.”

Click here to view our photo special of Jon Flanagan throughout the years.