Jurgen Klopp told his press-conference today how James Milner’s season at left-back helped him improve as a player and that in the future, the Englishman will thank him for the experience!
In 2016/17, instead of replacing Alberto Moreno via the transfer market, Klopp switched Milner’s position and used the England international as a left-back for the entire campaign.
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Milner openly didn’t enjoy the role, but claimed he would do his best in it for as long as the boss picked him there.
Klopp was discussing the 32-year-old’s success this term in his favoured midfield role and claimed that the left-back experiment was a good one.
“It was clear he was a very versatile player. When people say he’s a workhorse, it’s a compliment – he is naturally fit, and an athlete,” Klopp said.
“When he looks back on his career he will think about the season he played at left-back, when he learned a lot about football!”
This term, Milner has been our best midfielder, alongside Gini Wijnaldum.
Considering he’s been up against £90m worth of summer signings in Fabinho and Naby Keita, that’s some achievement.
Milner will again be key on Sunday, as Liverpool face his old side Manchester City.
Both clubs currently top the Premier League table, but City are yet to face a real test against a rival, while we’ve played Chelsea and Spurs in recent weeks.
Bring it on!