Jon Flanagan is considering making a season-long loan switch to Burnley, according to the Daily Mail.
The 23-year-old full-back, who has featured in three of Liverpool’s four pre-season friendlies so far, was a notable absentee from the squad during the Huddersfield game yesterday evening after featuring in the starting XI in the preceding ties with Tranmere, Fleetwood, and Wigan.
Speculation was rife this morning that the young defender’s exclusion was indicative of a move away from the club, and it seems Flanno is increasingly likely to be plying his trade elsewhere this season, albeit on a temporary basis as he didn’t fly to the USA with the squad for the pre-season tour.
Burnley, who were relegated from the top flight at the end of the 2014-2015 season, return to the Premier League as Championship winners, with manager Sean Dyche still at the helm and no doubt already hard at work preparing for a fourth full season in charge of the Clarets.
Flanagan, who is equally-adept in both full-back positions, would naturally be an attractive option for Dyche. Burnley have a relatively small squad with limited defensive options, and Flanagan’s versatility would be extremely beneficial in providing cover for more experienced players like Matthew Lowton, Daniel Lafferty, and Stephen Ward.
However, Liverpool will seek assurances about Flanagan’s playing time before sanctioning the move (rumoured 75% game inclusion in loanee contracts), and will be unlikely to accept a bit-part role for a player they view as a key member of the squad in the coming years.
With Nathaniel Clyne having cemented his place at right-back and more left-back options seemingly incoming, Flanagan would certainly benefit from regular playing time (particularly with a Premier League side), though the young Scouser may struggle with the idea of leaving his boyhood club, even on a temporary basis.
