Thursday 28 August 2014 13:48, UK
Sky Sports News’ Fraser Dainton reports from Merseyside, where Liverpool’s work in the local community has been given a boost by a visit from defender Jon Flanagan.
You can tell the summer is coming to an end. The sunshine is patchy, there’s a stiff breeze in the air, and one or two leaves have started to drop from the trees. At Liverpool Foundation, summer camp has reached its conclusion.
For this group of players, it’s been a particular joy to take part in the games - all of them have severe, complex, and additional needs. The pleasure on their faces is clear for all to see. Eighteen sessions a week have been taking place, with over 250 participants.
Mark Haig, head of operations at Liverpool Foundation, says the programme has been a huge success.
“Everyone here has got some sort of challenging issue to face - a disability of some sort,” he said. “They are coached by our staff, they exercise regularly, but perhaps more importantly, they have a social side as well - they laugh and giggle, they take the mickey out of each other, they become friends. And for the parents and carers, it means they also get a break, and that’s all part of what we offer. It’s a special camp, for special people.”
I think he (Balotelli) is older and wiser now, he’s come here knowing what Liverpool is about, and I think he will be a great signing for us.
And the day is made even more special with the appearance of Jon Flanagan. He’s been invited to present the certificates, and is more than happy to oblige.
“It’s great to come down here and give a bit back,” he said. “It’s great to see so many smiles on faces. Liverpool is always involved in these sort of things, we just help the community out. Some of these people have got a few problems, but it doesn’t affect them whatsoever. They’re all happy, and it makes their day.”
Flanagan, is tempted to join in - he’s itching for a game, having missed the opening two fixtures with a knee injury. “It shouldn’t be too long, maybe after the international break, hopefully. I can’t wait. It was a bad time for me to get injured - in pre-season - I just can’t wait to get going now.”
But getting back in the side will be difficult. Liverpool have been among the highest recruiters in the Premier League over the course of the summer, and Flanagan is well aware he faces an uphill task.
“We’ve brought top class players in, a few full backs,” he added. “I just have to keep working hard, and hopefully I will get a chance to show the manager what I can do again. He’s strengthened the squad in all areas, made some massive signings. So I think we’re really going to push on.”
And the latest recruit - Mario Balotelli - should ensure life is never dull at Liverpool.
Flanagan agrees: “He’s been in and around Melwood, we went to the game with him on Monday night.
“He’s a good lad, and hopefully he will be successful. I think he’s older and wiser now, he’s come here knowing what Liverpool is about, and I think he will be a great signing for us. He had a great record at AC Milan, scored a lot of goals for them last year. I think he’ll bring more goals in to this team.”
After doing so well last year, the pressure will be on Liverpool to ensure there is progress, but given how all the other teams around them have been busy in the transfer market, early indications are that getting a top four finish will be as hard as ever.
“We got off to a good start with three points at Southampton,” he said. “On Monday night (at Manchester City) we didn’t get the win, but there’s a lot of positives that we can take from that game.
"We know it’s going to be tough, we knew that last year - we did exceptionally well, and if anyone had said to us we would finish second - well, that’s gone now, and we know it will be hard, so we’ll continue to fight.”
You can watch Liverpool's next game - away to Tottenham Hotspur - live on Sky Sports 1HD on Sunday, with coverage underway from 12.30pm.
