Source: FOOTYMAD
Jones impressed with Flanagan
Rob Jones was impressed with John Flanagan's debut on Monday night. Flanagan made an assured debut and helped the Reds keep a clean sheet in their 3-0 win over Man City. Rob Jones was also a right back who made his debut in a tough game, away against Man Utd, and was impressed with the way the 18 year old handled himself. "Flanagan did superbly. As a Liverpool fan, you're watching the game and hoping the young lad doesn't make a mistake, but he never looked like that was going to happen, he was great," said the former Red. "He looked very comfortable on the ball, always looked to pass it, and did all his defensive duties really well. He certainly never looked overawed by the occasion, and he can be very pleased with his performance. "I've been watching Martin Kelly for the past six months, and he has been great. Now Flanagan has emerged, it looks even better for the club. "You usually get maybe one player every two years or so come through, but these two have come through around the same time, and they look really comfortable. "And of course, these young players - Jay Spearing as well - are lucky enough to have someone like Kenny Dalglish to guide them through. That must give a young player so much confidence, to have Kenny behind them. "I used to have it with Graeme Souness, I'd always think that if he rated me enough to put me in the team then I must be doing something right, and it is the same with Kenny. "You only need to look at the way the senior players have responded since he has come back, he has given the players confidence, and there is a buzz around the club again."Having senior players alongside you is priceless when you are making your first appearances, I had Jan Molby, Ian Rush, Bruce Grobbelaar alongside me on my debut, and it helped me so much. You can't beat experience. "I noticed as the players left the field that Pepe Reina went over and gave Flanagan a pat on the head to say 'well done', and I'm sure all the senior players will have been full of praise for him in the dressing room afterwards. "John will know himself that he has had a good, solid game, but still to have the likes of Kenny, Pepe or Jamie Carragher come over and say 'well played' will mean an awful lot, and give him a lot of confidence. "He's had a nice, steady debut, and looked very confident. But that is the easy part. The hard part now is to keep it going, keep working hard and try to keep his place in the team. "He has to get his head down, work hard, and listen to those around him - Carra, Kenny Dalglish and so on. If he can do that, he can have a very good career for Liverpool."
