James Milner

[hamstrung_pigeon]

Looking at Henderson's decent assist stats this season, and generally how he plays, it's worth considering his position.

In a classic 4-2-3-1 model, would it not be wise to move him from the '2' into the '3'. Could he not play a Dirk Kuyt role, except with more movement, pace and assists? That leaves Milner to occupy a more reserved, controlling role in the centre alongside a DM in the '2'.

In our standard 4-3-3, I suppose Milner and Hendo could sit alongside each other in front of a DM, but it means pushing Coutinho into a wide forward role, which isn't ideal.

On paper, it's a wide forward role, but we've seen in his first season it doesn't work out that way on the pitch; same when at time Suarez was starting on the left / right on paper - essentially, Coutinho plays as an inside left who drifts in often and pulls out wide at times, while Sterling / Ibe provides width on the other flank. Defensively, he helps out on the wide side again. I suppose Moreno (or whoever is at LB) ends up motoring up to help provide outside support for Coutinho. What this gives us is solidity in the middle with a DM (say Lucas, or when Can has improved enough defensively) sitting behind Henderson - Milner, both of whom are able to win and retain the ball, still create chances (not as sexy as Coutinho of course), while still having the workrate as well as physical presence. It isn't a sexy-looking midfield trio, but I like the solidity and balance of it.

 

[My_Blood_Bleeds_Red]

Milner has concerns about Liverpool's ability to win titles under Brendan. Arsenal are in the driving seat now.

Don't you just love our club ?

 

[Ryan]

Absolute thunderLOL at all the ‘he’s good enough for the squad, but maybe not for a starting berth’ cabbage being thrown out in this thread.

Lest I remind you he plays regularly in a team far far fucking better than ours, and has two premier league winners medals from the last 3 years in his back pocket. Both of which he contributed to greatly.

He would deservedly saunter straight into our fucking side.

 

[HC]

Agreed.

I'd start him ahead of Henderson, can, Allen, Lucas, Markovic et al.

We simply have to be all over a player like Milner if available and if that means spending a bit more on wages, then do it. Let's no default to a sloppy second option,again..

 

[DHSC]

Where do you see him predominantly playing if he joins us?

 

[Ryan]

Where do you see him predominantly playing if he joins us?

With the squad we've currently got, anywhere at all across midfield.

He's a better midfielder than anyone we've got.

 

[JohnnyRocket]

On paper, it's a wide forward role, but we've seen in his first season it doesn't work out that way on the pitch; same when at time Suarez was starting on the left / right on paper - essentially, Coutinho plays as an inside left who drifts in often and pulls out wide at times, while Sterling / Ibe provides width on the other flank. Defensively, he helps out on the wide side again. I suppose Moreno (or whoever is at LB) ends up motoring up to help provide outside support for Coutinho. What this gives us is solidity in the middle with a DM (say Lucas, or when Can has improved enough defensively) sitting behind Henderson - Milner, both of whom are able to win and retain the ball, still create chances (not as sexy as Coutinho of course), while still having the workrate as well as physical presence. It isn't a sexy-looking midfield trio, but I like the solidity and balance of it.

That works for me. If Sterling goes we ideally need a striker as well as a wide forward who plays on the right and is left footed and pacey. Ideally if Coutinho is drifting infield he needs the wide forward and centre forward to be fast strikers with good movement.

 

[Buddha]

Linked with Arsenal again today.

 

[6TimesaRed]

This is all leading to the Inevitable..


Two players in less than 24 hours calling on the club's lack of Ambition moving forward with BR..

 

[mark1975]

Beacause of a fabricated news report.

 

[Buddha]

I don't think Arsenal's interest and Milner's likely response is fabricated Mark. There's been a fair bit of press over some time regards us and Arsenal being frontrunners for his move. He'd be more likely to go there than Anfield I'm afraid unless he has some emotional tie to our wonderful club.

Still, I'm not sure how the Redninja is making a straight link between his likely move to Arsenal and 'a calling on the club's lack of ambition moving forward with BR'.

 

[mark1975]

Yeah I know he's been linked with them for a while, your second sentence was my point. It suits his agenda to make that link.

 

[Mors]

So arsenal are going to sign him with Ramsey, Willshere, Ozil, Cazorla, Chamberlain, Walcott, Sanchez in the team already? I see.

 

[keniget]

So arsenal are going to sign him with Ramsey, Willshere, Ozil, Cazorla, Chamberlain, Walcott, Sanchez in the team already? I see.

So Liverpool are going to sign him with Henderson, Allen, Lucas, Can, Markovic, Ibe, Lallana, Coutinho, Origi in the team already? I see.

 

[Hansern]

Hasnt it been made pretty clear that he doesnt want to move his family from the north?

 

[StevieM]

Hasnt it been made pretty clear that he doesnt want to move his family from the north?

I'd say it would have been made clear that he'll expect more coin in order to convince him to move his family from the north.

 

[Hansern]

I'd say it would have been made clear that he'll expect more coin in order to convince him to move his family from the north.

The offer from City is appaz 165k a week. Will Arsenal match that? Doubtful.

 

[jexykrodic]

Milner has concerns about Liverpool's ability to win titles under Brendan. Arsenal are in the driving seat now.

Don't you just love our club ?

If he were concerned about winning titles he'd stay at Citeh.

 

[keniget]

The offer from City is appaz 165k a week. Will Arsenal match that? Doubtful.

Will we?

 

[jexykrodic]

I'd say it would have been made clear that he'll expect more coin in order to convince him to move his family from the north.

Exactly. With him and with all others.

 

[Best Believe It]

The offer from City is appaz 165k a week. Will Arsenal match that? Doubtful.

They don't need to. He's not turning down City for the money, he's turning them down because he can't get a regular place in the side in central midfield.

 

[DHSC]

Wonder if the Sterling mess will affect his thinking to join us.

 

[hmmmmm1]

City offering him a mega new deal to stay.

Looks like this may not happen now.....

 

[Hansern]

They don't need to. He's not turning down City for the money, he's turning them down because he can't get a regular place in the side in central midfield.

I know. Is it more likely for him to get a central midfield spot at Liverpool or Arsenal?
The factor of not moving his family down from the north could be key imho.

 

[My_Blood_Bleeds_Red]

We can't even get a 29 year old James friggin' Milner to join us for crying out loud !

 

[Best Believe It]

I know. Is it more likely for him to get a central midfield spot at Liverpool or Arsenal?
The factor of not moving his family down from the north could be key imho.

It could be, but any player thinking of joining us would be stupid not to be slightly alarmed at what's going on at the moment. Uncertainty over Rodgers, losing players etc.

 

[6TimesaRed]

Apparently he had turned the mega deal from city down. He wants to be guarenteed first team football.

I don't know what to beleive..

 

[FoxForceFive]

Don't believe anything in football until it happens.

Even then, cos it's us, I'd wait for a while before truly believing it.

 

[cloggypop]

And stop posting shite from Twitter as though it is true. Especially from people with names like Moley. Or shit film makers.

Ta.

 

[DHSC]

Would we be surprised if he didn't pick us?