This is the time of year that makes idiots of us all, as we speculate wildly about new recruits arriving to L4. Rarely has there been a transfer window where the club’s need has been so great but the fact that nobody really knows anything will ensure at least four more weeks of wild emotional oscillations. Belligerent Twitter types are ready to lambast every potential target, Grand Romantics are certain that a couple of key additions will push Liverpool towards glory and dour hope vacuums, like your scribbler, will simply sit quietly and harrumph at all transfer tittle tattle.
Whatever your inclination, the topic is unavoidable, but one man who may be returning to the club ahead of schedule is Jon Flanagan. The warmly regarded local defender has been at Turf Moor under the tutelage of Sean Dyche on a season-long loan, but he has not made the impression he would have liked and the Burnley boss has said that he will have to “monitor” the player’s situation
Flanagan has made only three starts since his move, with a further two substitute appearances. Liverpool fans will know all too well that the Scouser had an 18 month spell out with injury and his involvement over the holiday period was restricted by another knock to his knee, although it is not thought to be serious.
“It takes time to come through injuries, we’ve seen that with Vokesy (Sam Vokes), he’s looking a different player now compared to six months after his injury,” Dyche offered. “We knew there’d be an adaptation period for Flanno. He knows about the players now and how we operate as a team, on the training pitch and I think that’s done him some good so he’s closer to where he wants to be. We’ll monitor his situation and him with us.”
To be fair to the Burnley boss, he is hardly dismissing Flanagan. His words, even if they were delivered in that comically gravelly voice of his, are reasonably supportive. It would probably be best for all concerned if the affable full back could get back into the side at Turf Moor and play an injury-free spell in the Premier League, but January being what it is, speculation is inevitable.
