The way James Milner has been playing this season, it is difficult to believe that he hasn’t been a left-back for most of his career.
If anyone was to be trusted to take up an unfamiliar and extremely challenging position and make it their own, it was him.
His assist in yesterday’s 4-1 win over Stoke was an example of how his defensive role has by no means restricted him from contributing to his side’s attacking play.
2016 has been a good year for Milner as far as the statistics are concerned. His 10 assists mean he now sits above four of the Premier League’s very best creators.
James Milner has recorded 10 Premier League assists in 2016, more than:
Alexis Sánchez (9)
David Silva (8)
Mesut Özil (6)
Eden Hazard (2) pic.twitter.com/uNj8Jejjif— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 27, 2016
James Milner’s game by numbers vs. Stoke:
83% pass accuracy
6 tackles won
5 crosses
3 shots
1 assistExcellent at LB once again pic.twitter.com/JfHO5Sh92L
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 27, 2016
He put in another solid performance against Stoke and enjoyed one of his better games in terms of his defensive work.
His work rate and sheer desire to win the ball back has seen him mould into a reliable outlet at left-back and a source of good attacking play that opposition teams often overlook.
Any errors he may make are forgiven just as quickly because of his dedication to the cause. One of the club’s best pieces of business over the years and to top it off, he arrived on a free as well.
SEE MORE:
Statistics shows midfielder’s remarkable improvement under Klopp