Premier League outfit Liverpool have confirmed that they have tied down full-back Jon Flanagan and winger Jordon Ibe to new long-term contracts.
Flanagan, who has missed the entire season with a knee injury, is integral to the Reds' future plans, according to manager Brendan Rodgers.
A product of Liverpool's youth academy, the 22-year-old made his senior debut for the club in 2011 and has since been integral to their defence on one than one occasion.
Speaking about the youngster, Rodgers revealed that the 2014/15 season has been unlucky for Flanagan as he was just about to sign a new contract prior to being injured.
"It has just been unfortunate for him because he was about to sign a new deal just before the injury", Rodgers told his club's official website.
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"Obviously his representatives and the club have been in talks, his deal was running out in the summer. He's a very important player for us."
Rodgers also took time to speak about the next set of steps as far as the full-back's rehabilitation process is concerned.
"Medically, we have to look after him now as well because he's had quite a bad injury there that we've had to look at.
"But all the medics are saying that he's going to come back stronger and healthier. That's the most important thing."
Another youngster to have penned a new contract on the same day is winger Ibe, who has also been with Liverpool's academy.
Ibe is about to end the season as part of Rodgers's first team squad after having spent the opening half of the season on loan at Derby County.
According to the 42-year-old, Ibe has thoroughly deserved his new contract and he is absolutely delighted to have managed to extend the youngster's stay at the club.
"He has thoroughly deserved it", Rodgers added.
"He is a young kid that has got a lot of potential; he still has a lot of work to do to become that consistent performer at the top level, but there's no doubting his potential and he has really grown and developed over the course of the last season.
"He came back from Derby and had taken on board all that he was coached there and had done exceptionally well.
"I could see the change in him then. He was very focused and came in and did exceptionally well. Unfortunately, he got injured in Besiktas and that kept him out for a little bit.
"It has just taken him a bit of time to get back up to speed again. He's a great talent, a big talent here for the football club and I'm delighted that he has been able to sign and commit to the future of the club."
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