A group of Liverpool supporters have been discussing a recent interview by The Athletic’s James Pearce with the club’s former defender Jon Flanagan. The 27-year-old left Merseyside in July 2018 to join Rangers on a free transfer, having previously had loan spells at Burnley and Bolton Wanderers.
In an open and honest interview, Flanagan, who has just been released by Rangers, is “worried” about what the future holds for him. It’s the first time in the right-back’s career he doesn’t have “the security of a contract” and admitted this is a “scary” time for him.
He also took the opportunity to let any potential suitors know he is willing to take part in a trial in order to prove himself as he looks to return to a club as soon as possible. Here is how a section of the Anfield faithful have responded to the interview after Pearce shared it via his Twitter account.
Shouldn’t have beat the missus up then
— jake (@Jake_Phillpotts) May 28, 2020
Rather forget this wife beater ever played for #LFC I couldn’t careless about his future
— Jakki (@lfc_jt) May 28, 2020
Why on earth would you interview him, James? Wife beater deserves no attention.
— Goran Orec (@OrecG) May 28, 2020
Does Jon Flanagan deserve another opportunity in England?
Yes
No
Back in 2018, Flanagan was sentenced to a 12-month community order after assaulting his girlfriend Rachael Wall on a night out (via The Guardian) and that hasn’t been forgotten by these Reds fans, who have questioned why Pearce and The Athletic deemed the player worthy of an interview in the first place. The criticism kept on coming via the social media platform.
Disappointed this person is deemed worthy of an interview to be honest.
— Heather Williams (@hop90) May 28, 2020
Why are you giving PR to a guy who beat up his girlfriend, James?
Why wasting time with him? Ugh ?
— Skuggz (@Skuggz_) May 28, 2020
He’s a rat
— CS (@CommieScouser) May 28, 2020
Shouldn’t be interviewing wife beaters James
— Spennie 6 times (@unrealxherdan) May 28, 2020
It’s clear there is not much sympathy amongst the Liverpool fanbase for the position their former player finds himself in. Flanagan made 51 appearances for the Reds during his time there and has one England cap to his name. However, having played just five times in the Scottish Premiership for Rangers this season, we suspect there will be question marks regarding the player’s fitness levels as he looks for a new club.