The former Liverpool player who humiliated Sterling and now announced his retirement

To be among the ranks of the Reds Academy and later have the opportunity to play with the first team is the dream of every footballer who feels attracted by the Merseyside institution. There are a large number of players who fulfil their dream but do not manage to consolidate their career, as sometimes their football level or some external problems prevent them from growing and developing their activities as a professional at Anfield.

Among the cases that did not have the greatest success is 29-year-old British defender Jon Flanagan, who had his golden opportunity with the first team in April 2011 when the squad was still led by manager Kenny Dalglish. Despite fulfilling the British player's footballing conditions and even starting for a season, his countless injury problems complicated not only his stay at Anfield but also his playing career.

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Flanagan's early years were too intermittent as he played very little for the Reds, reaching his highest levels in a Liverpool shirt for the 2013-2014 season, establishing himself as a regular in Brendan Rogers' side that came so close to winning the Premier League title that year. His dominance of the left wing meant that he was in matches of great importance and saw him and his teammates achieve great results, with his goal against Tottenham being perhaps the consecration that every footballer seeks at some point in time.

Just when the defender had received praise not only from the team but also from his country, he had to take 20 months off the field due to a serious knee injury, requiring a couple of operations that completely changed his career. Although his recovery was successful, the Briton was unable to see much action with a Liverpool side managed by Jurgen Klopp, having to migrate on loan to other teams such as Burnley and Bolton Wanderers.  

Jon Flanagan announced his retirement

Flanagan left Anfield for the summer of 2018 and went on to play for the likes of Rangers, Charleroi and HB Hoge before announcing his retirement from the sidelines due to again having knee problems, claiming his health has to come first as per indications from his midfield. "My long-term health has to come first, so, following medical advice, the right thing for me now is to retire from the game," he said.