What's happened to Jon Flanagan? Liverpool's cult hero is in limbo

Jon Flanagan was given a standing ovation by the Liverpool squad after his Merseyside derby debut at Goodison Park in 2013, but he will be nowhere to be seen when the two teams meet again on Saturday. On loan and out of favour, what's happened to the Scouse Cafu?

Steven Gerrard might have singled out Daniel Sturridge for his 89th-minute equaliser. He might have praised Luis Suarez for netting his ninth goal of the season. But after Liverpool's 3-3 draw at Everton in November 2013, he chose to recognise an unsung hero instead.

"Our star man, for me, was Jon Flanagan by a country mile," said the Liverpool captain. "He doesn't get many headlines but, as captain of the team, he was the player I am most proud of. I thought he was unbelievable."

In the absence of first-choice left-back José Enrique, Brendan Rodgers had thrown in Flanagan for his Merseyside derby debut at Goodison Park. Out of position and on only his second Premier League start in 18 months, the 20-year-old academy graduate impressed. When he returned to the dressing room after the game, Liverpool's players stood to applaud him.

Flanagan had made his first-team debut two years earlier under Kenny Dalglish, but this time it seemed he was here to stay. He scored his first goal for the club in a 5-0 thrashing of Tottenham at White Hart Lane a month later. Rodgers compared him to a club legend after another eye-catching performance in a 3-0 win over Manchester United in March.

"He has been outstanding," said Rodgers. "He reminded me of Steve Nicol against Manchester United - a right-footed player on the left side, steady, aggressive, no fear. He's been a revelation, particularly in the big games. It's great when you see a young player develop like that. You can see the confidence he has now. He has made himself an important member of the squad."

Flanagan's gutsy performances made him a fan favourite, and he also gained an unlikely admirer in Cafu. The two-time World Cup-winning right-back delighted supporters by regularly praising the "Red Cafu" on Twitter. He even attended Liverpool's 2-1 win over Newcastle on the final day of the season.

"He has speed, strength and determination," the Brazilian said of Flanagan afterwards. "He's an athlete who goes after it and never gives it up. That's exactly what I used to do; there were no missing chances for me, no tiredness and no being dejected. I see that style in him too."

Missing out on the title was a bitter disappointment to Liverpool, but Flanagan started 23 Premier League games that season and seemed destined for big things. Roy Hodgson handed him an England debut in a World Cup warm-up game against Ecuador. He was even placed on standby for the tournament itself.

Flanagan joined up with the Liverpool squad ahead of the new campaign, but his progress was suddenly derailed by injury. The youngster underwent surgery on his left knee in September of 2014, and when he returned to action the following March, it was decided he needed a second operation which would keep him out until the start of 2016.

It was a hellish lay-off by anyone's standards but for Flanagan, a young player at such a vital stage of his career, it felt particularly cruel. When he finally returned as a second-half substitute in an FA Cup tie against Exeter City last January, it had been 619 days since his last first-team appearance.

Jurgen Klopp described it as an "emotional moment". "Nobody deserved it more than him," he added. "It's such a long time, an unbelievably long time. Since I've been here he's always been injured but never in a bad mood. That's unbelievable. He's a really strong lad. Hopefully now it goes on."

Flanagan was handed a new long-term contract after making his first Premier League start in two years in Liverpool's 3-0 win over Manchester City last March, but after starting just three games in the final two months of last season, it was decided he would be sent on loan for the 2016/17 campaign.

A move to newly-promoted Burnley seemed like a perfect opportunity to get back on track, but seven months since his arrival at Turf Moor he has only started seven games out of 34. Flanagan is 24 years old now, but Sean Dyche says adapting to his new surroundings has not been easy for a player with just 60 senior appearances under his belt.

"I've got to be aware that he's still kind of a developing player," explained Dyche in January. "Not in the same way as some, of course, but he is still moving forward in his game, in his understanding of how we work and how the Premier League works. It's a challenge. Here it's different possession stats, different numbers of chances created, a different quality of player."

Flanagan will be hoping for more opportunities before the season is out, but he hasn't made a single Premier League appearance since Boxing Day and there's little evidence to suggest that's about to change. Those words of praise from Gerrard feel like an awfully long time ago now. The Scouse Cafu is facing an uncertain future.