Jurgen Klopp hails Jon Flanagan but issues injury fear over fit-again Liverpool defender

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will endeavour to manage the fitness of Jon Flanagan after the 23-year-old made his first Premier League start for 22 months in the win over Manchester City. The England international did not play at all last season due to a knee injury and after cameo run-outs this term made his full return to the first team at Anfield.

Flanagan set the tone for a comfortable Reds win with an early tackle on Raheem Sterling - who returned to Merseyside for the first time since his acrimonious move to City in the summer. Adam Lallana, James Milner and Roberto Firmino all netted as Klopp's side avenged their penalty shoot-out defeat at Wembley.

Among the positives for Liverpool was the return of Flanagan who played the full 90 minutes in the 3-0 win. Klopp however has heeded caution over expectations of the youngster and fears he could be sidelined again if too much is forced on him.

"After 20-something months out he played so smart and so clever," the Liverpool boss told the Liverpool Echo. "In the first half he showed his opponent (Sterling) 'maybe we were friends a few months ago but not for tonight'!

"In the second half he saved energy by not going forward as much and was really clever. When we've spoken about Flanno, we talk about 20 months, not about quality. But now we need to see what we can do with him.

Adding ahead of Liverpool's weekend trip to Crystal Palace: "The Premier League is about Sunday, Wednesday, Sunday, Wednesday so we will have to think about this. That's why we have to judge the intensity a little bit. That's all."