Liverpool defender Jon Flanagan has returned to action with the Reds U21s in a friendly against Fleetwood.
The full-back played half an hour before being substituted, as planned, in the match at Kirkby Academy which finished 0-0, report the Liverpool Echo.
England international Flanagan hasn't featured in a competitive fixture since May 2014, but has returned to full training after a 19-month layoff which has seen him undergo two operations on his left knee.
His sole appearances during that period came in a friendly with Brondby in the July 2014, and in a charity game at Anfield back in March.
The 22-year-old hasn’t played competitively for Liverpool since the win over Newcastle on the final day of the 2013/14 season.
His outstanding form as the Reds challenged for the Premier League title led to him earning his England debut against Ecuador ahead of the World Cup finals in Brazil.
Flanagan was hampered by fluid on his left knee during the following pre-season tour of America. The popular defender then underwent surgery in September 2014 and another operation followed in April 2015 to repair cartilage in the joint.
In recent months he’s been able to step up his rehabilitation and has now been given the green light to make his comeback.
Having signed a new one-year deal back in May, Flanagan will be determined to use the coming months to prove he merits a longer contract. He is free to negotiate with non-English clubs as of January 1.
Jose Enrique, who has not made a single senior appearance for the Reds this season, also played in the behind-closed-doors game, as did Jerome Sinclair, who has been linked with a summer move away from Anfield.