Liverpool defender Jon Flanagan praised by Brazil legend Cafu - who acknowledges 'RedCafu's' impressive form of late

Flanagan is set for a new contract at Anfield and the Brazilian World Cup winner has singled out the makeshift left-back for special praise

Jon Flanagan has been praised by Brazilian World Cup winner Cafu (Getty Images)

Jon Flanagan has already been praised for his recent run of form by Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, and looks set to be handed an improved contract for his efforts. But his performance in Sunday’s 4-0 victory over Tottenham saw a fellow full-back rave about his play on the pitch – Brazilian legend Cafu.

The former right-back has taken a shine to Flanagan, posting on his Twitter account to praise the Reds defender and dub him the “ RedCafu” – a nickname hailing from the Anfield faithful.

Cafu also weighed up the Premier League title race, admitting that top of the league Liverpool could certainly win it while claiming Chelsea are “in a storm”.

Flanagan has made the starting left-back role his own since the turn of the year, keeping out Jose Enrique and on-loan Aly Cissokho as he has helped sure up a Reds defence that had a knack of leaking goals. They have since gone on to record three clean sheets in their last five matches, although the three goals conceded at Cardiff can be seen as a recurrence of the problem.

Rodgers has confirmed that the 21-year-old will be offered a new contract – which will please World Cup winner Cafu after he admitted “I now know what a scouser means!” – but the Reds’ manager will be hoping he remains level-headed for the season run-in.

Following the weekend’s victory, Liverpool now know that their Premier League fate lies in their own hands, as they will land their first top-flight title at Anfield in 24 years if they win all of their remaining league games.