Jan Molby expressed his delight at seeing Liverpool defender Jon Flanagan back to full fitness following his injury problems.

Following 20 months out with injury, Flanagan finally made a return to the pitch by featuring in the second half of Liverpool's FA Cup encounter against Exeter City in midweek.

Liverpool fans loudly applauded the return of Flanagan and even Anfeld legend Molby was unable to contain his excitement over the defender recovering from his terrible injury troubles.

In his column for the Liverpool Echo, Molby stated: "What a moment it was to see Jon Flanagan back on the pitch against Exeter. It is great news for the team, and not just because of what he can offer on the pitch. The club needs a Scouse heartbeat and him coming back has made sure it carries on.

"He's never given up. For over 18 months, he's kept on battling and fighting to get back on the pitch. All the hard work he's put in during his recovery was repaid with that ovation he received by the fans, it was superb.

"After injury, you just want to get back to doing what you want to do. I know the opposition wasn't the strongest, but it looked as if he had never been away. He was the big surprise of that 2013-14 season and if he can return to those levels, then there is no doubt he can get into the starting 11 – whether at left back or right back.

"Flanagan is a throwback and you could see, even in his time on the pitch on Wednesday, what he brings. He was throwing himself into tackles and playing with plenty of passion.

"To put a winning team together you need all sorts of qualities. There will be better footballers than Jon Flanagan but he has something the crowd can associate with. He will battle for every loose ball and that can be invaluable to the make-up of any team."