The defender is set to leave Liverpool on loan this summer.
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However, Klopp believes Flanagan – who has made over 50 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool since making his debut aged just 18 – would be better served to go on loan and be guaranteed first-team action.
The defender earned rave reviews for his performances during the 2013/14 season where Liverpool finished second and was on the standby list for England’s World Cup squad in Brazil before missing 20 months due to knee problems.
Flanagan had been tipped for a loan move to Burnley for some time.
He continues to have work permit issues, and as such needs to be loaned to a club in Europe as he waits for global clearance.
“The 19-year-old Brazilian midfielder moved to the Reds from Internacional in September 2015 and has previously enjoyed loan spells with SJK in Finland and Belgian club Sint-Truidense”.
And no matter what the future may hold, in the present it means that Liverpool now find themselves as thin at right back as they are at left back, and makes bringing in cover-perhaps even a player able to cover both sides of the pitch-is more important than ever for Liverpool.
However, the Reds handed him a new long-term deal in March, signalling their intention to keep him.
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The report states that he may play some part in Liverpool’s friendly against Barcelona at Wembley on Saturday, having also been taken on the club’s recent pre-season tour of the United States, before joining up with his new teammates early next week.
