Liverpool full-back Jon Flanagan needs to consider quitting the club on a permanent deal this summer.
The 24-year-old may struggle to earn regular opportunities at Anfield next season, having fallen down the pecking order whilst on loan last season.
Flanagan spent the duration of the 2016-17 season on loan at fellow Premier League outfit Burnley, but made just 10 appearances in all competitions under Sean Dyche.
His loan spell is due to expire at the end of this month, but the defender faces an uphill struggle to earn a regular role in the first-team squad upon his return to Liverpool ahead of next season.
He has rarely featured under Jurgen Klopp due to a long-term injury, and was granted a loan move to Burnley to build up his fitness and earn more regular opportunities.
But it remains to be seen what role Flanagan could have in his plans for next season, with several players likely to be ahead of him in the pecking order for his preferred position.
The versatile defender can play at either right or left full-back, but there are almost as many as two players in each position already consider key members of the first-team squad.
Nathaniel Clyne is the first-choice option on the right flank, while youngster Trent Alexander-Arnold has also come into the side and impressed.
Given Alexander-Arnold’s emergence, it looks difficult for him to break into the side in that particular area.
James Milner, meanwhile, has established himself as an unlikely preferred choice on the left-hand side.
The experienced midfielder was an ever-present member of the first-team squad last term, and gave countless pleasing displays in his new position.
There will be doubts over the future of deputy left-back Alberto Moreno, but even with just Milner in the side, Flanagan can only really be viewed as a cover option.
Klopp may even consider adding another full-back to his ranks this summer, with the Mirror claiming a deal for Hull City’s Andrew Robertson is ready to be announced.
But for Flanagan to earn regular first-team football next season, he has to face up to the prospect of seeking a fresh challenge elsewhere.
Another loan move won’t benefit him or Liverpool. He’s now 24-years-old, and really needs to be playing regularly if he is to develop properly.
Klopp likely won’t see much objection to letting Flanagan leave on a permanent basis this summer, and he shouldn’t have much trouble finding a suitable new employer for him.