Glad Milner is getting some credit, I've always liked him.
Hard working, never hear much about him off the pitch, will play wherever he's asked and generally does a good job.
Getting him on a free was also great business
Absolutely mate. You don't appreciate just what a fantastic professional James Milner is and just what he brings to a team until he's at your club. (I was guilty myself of questioning the pick-up two summers ago.). Such a highly intelligent footballer who can pretty much play in any position you put him in and still give you a consistent 7 out of 10 that rarely if ever falls below that. And he just get's on with it without complaint. To his massive credit, he came under one manager with the promise that he'd get to play in his preferred central midfield role, and that lasted all of 3 months with the change of manager last October. And he's not grumbled once wherever he's been asked to play since. He was my L'pool Player of the Year last year. Involved in more L'pool goals, both scoring and assisting, than any other player. Whilst playing everywhere from both wings to left full back and most points in between. Always giving 100% every time he took to the pitch.
Moving him to LB has been an absolute stroke of genius from Klopp. And it's become patently obvious it was by design and
not the bunkum thrown around that he's an 'emergency LB' for Liverpool. He isn't. He's Klopp's chosen/ designated player for the role and his skill set fits it perfectly for the way Jurgen's Liverpool play.
Always been a fan of wrong footed players at fullback as they can cut inside with ease. Stevie Nicol, although strong on both feet, is a great example for L'pool. To a lesser extent in that regard attack wise, but still highly effective, Dennis Irwin springs instantly to mind in the PL era for Utd. (The best LB the PL has seen IMHO but that's for another thread and another debate.). Milner has the energy to be up and down, and can equally go outside or in the attacking third. Never seen a player with SO little pace that SO consistently beats his man. It's like he's up against you and you know he's got snails speed, but somehow, someway, you're chasing him as he's wriggled past you haha. He's becoming adroit at megin people for fun this year. And he's so intelligent in understanding others rolls on the entire football field that positionally he's got better and better in his new position by the game defensively.
If you remember I wasn't going ape over the lack of a LB signing this summer and was trying to calm fellow reds on Milner playing there when it became apparent he was the first choice because of how savvy a football he is. (Even if I didn't think it was ideal.). Boy that Klopp fella' sure knows what he's doing huh? ..... Having a midfielder who's SO comfortable on the ball and crosses a wicked ball play in a position that see's as much of the ball as any other in our system was genius. He's been our best playmaker this year and then some. We'd seen him play there the Legue Cup final when City ended up tactically substituting and doubling up on him to cope. Then again at Utd in the Europa League when he completely bossed that side. And when you throw in that the only substantial bid we made for a LB this summer was Leicester's Chilwell, a 19 year old kid who's never made a PL appearance and who would of been sat learning this year anyway; it's become more and more apparent that from back the second half of last year Klopp and his staff had identified Milner as the ideal LB for their Liverpool.
And honestly, there are VERY few if any reds still clamouring for a new LB in January such has been his league leading form the first couple of months of the year in the position. Which most assuredly wasn't the case the end of the last window.
As if all the above wasn't enough, man alive does he take a mean penalty haha. (8 out of 8 and counting for LFC.).
And you DON'T want him scoring against you or else forget it. 44 goals he's scored the PL through 45 games (scored in) his career and counting and he's NEVER been on the loosing side when that's happened. (37 wins/ 8 draws.).
Couldn't be happier with James Milner. L'pool's all round LB.
Who isn't.
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