Jurgen Klopp has spoken to the press ahead of Liverpool’s pre-season fixture with Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund, and has given one of his players a massive compliment.
James Milner has proved himself a very important figure at Anfield since joining on a free transfer from Premier League title rivals Manchester City.
This is something that Klopp has obviously noticed – and the Yorkshireman has been paid a huge compliment by the German boss.
“What a guy, very very important, improved & developed a lot, played few positions, played full season at left back, didn’t like it so much but it helped him, he perhaps enjoyed it more than he knew,” he’s quoted as saying by the Liverpool Echo.
“Only in sport you speak about 33 year old as an old person, imagine talking like that about photographers! Hopefully still much to come and for a guy like him, as long as I’m here, there’ll always be a place for him.
“Not always the easier to manage as he has his own views, likes to know reasons why you do what you do – could see at various moments last season what to meant to him.
“Don’t know what people in Liverpool thought about him when he arrived on a free but it was a brilliant idea as without players like Milly success in football is impossible.”
Milner is one of the most senior players in the squad, and is the club’s vice-captain, so it’s fair to say that Klopp trusts the man.
When asked, our number seven always give 110% and Liverpool fans will always love you just so long as you wear your heart on your sleeve – think Dirt Kuyt or Lucas Leiva.