Back in May 2014, just a matter of days after Manchester City had won the Premier League despite the fact that the Reds gave it a very good go in the 2013/14 season, Liverpool fans were given one hell of a headline, as Brazil’s legendary full-back Cafu compared his playing style to that of Jon Flanagan.
That article is still on the Liverpool website, and whilst it may a great source of laughs now, back in the 2013/14 season Flanagan had been a sublime performer as he averaged 3.4 tackles, 1.7 interceptions, 3.3 clearances and 0.6 key passes per game across his 23 Premier League appearances, as per WhoScored.
Never forget! pic.twitter.com/rLjZDnM4Oq
— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) October 23, 2019
The fans have been quick to jump on the post from Empire of the Kop laughing at the headline from over five years ago, reminding the Liverpool fan page of the form that Flanagan put in during the season that impressed Cafu, and despite the player’s decline since they still remember the young full-back positively.
Never forget too that you were probably excited as hell when he said it. Cos’ it was true at the time.
— Andrian Tanandika (@Tanandika0527) October 23, 2019
Flano was great at the time then fell off a clif
— Craig Fisher (@1CraigFisher) October 23, 2019
Why the laughs though?.Flanagan before his injury was our best fullback and one of the best in the league.That quote from Cafu was in that period and i remember all of us were in Flanagan’s awe.
— Gertigj (@gertigj) October 23, 2019
He was fine at the time. His career has degenerated due to mostly extra-field aspects.
— Jean Oliveira (@_jean10) October 23, 2019
We were all gassed up but he was really good before his injury.
— Olaoluwakiitan (@olasmarto) October 23, 2019
Other Liverpool fans who have also been quick to remember how good Flanagan was have claimed that Cafu’s comments cursed their full-back, and given the steep decline from the defender, who now turns out for Rangers, it’s hard to disagree.
This is cursed
— Lee Ramirez (@jsundefined) October 23, 2019
Cafu cursed him.
— Kevin Daywalker (@KevDaywalker20) October 23, 2019
The curse of Cafu
— Aarran Boytt (@AarranBoytt) October 23, 2019