His experience as a midfielder is standing him in good stead in the position. He was my MOM yesterday. Top man.
James Milner.
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I do love players like him. Kuyt, Lallana, Finnan....just so fucking hard working and good at what they do.
http://www.sixcrazyminutes.com/index.php?threads/james-milner.67565/
Never forget the Souness quote
'Newcastle won't win anything with a team of James Milners'
True. You won't win anything without one either
'Newcastle won't win anything with a team of James Milners'
True. You won't win anything without one either
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/blood-red-how-burning-anfield-11929900
[article]It was the burning issue after the transfer window closed.
Liverpool’s failure to sign a left-back was accompanied by warnings of impending doom.
How could Jurgen Klopp fail to address an area of such glaring weakness? Where was the Plan B after the Reds were unsuccessful in their pursuit of young Leicester City full-back Ben Chilwell?
Three weeks on the debate has been rendered irrelevant. The fact that nobody is talking about it is testament to the performances of the man who has filled the void.
Jurgen Klopp’s faith in James Milner to deliver in that role has been vindicated. It’s been typical Milner - understated but highly effective.
Since missing the opening weekend thriller at Arsenal due to a heel injury, the 30-year-old midfielder has been ever present at left-back in the Premier League.
Alberto Moreno was already on borrowed time after the events of last term but his nightmare at the Emirates ensured that the error-prone Spaniard would be relegated to bench duty.
Milner has already passed some of the toughest tests he will face all season. He dealt expertly with the threat of Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez and Chelsea’s Willian.
It was during Liverpool’s pre-season tour of America in July that Klopp first spoke to Milner about the prospect of changing positions this term. Deep down it must have hurt after chipping in with seven goals and 14 assists last season.
After all 12 months earlier he had been attracted to Anfield by Brendan Rodgers’ promise of the central midfield role that he was largely denied at Manchester City. He was tired of being shunted around.
But rather than sulk, Milner took it on the chin and embraced the challenge as he told Klopp: “I will give you the best that I can. The team comes first.” Football’s Mr Versatile joked that he only needed a stint in goal in order to “complete the set” having played everywhere else.
There have been no histrionics from the selfless Milner. He’s low maintenance and a model professional. He has simply knuckled down and dedicated himself to learning what’s expected of him in his new role. As a right-footer playing on the left, he’s spent hours studying footage to ensure his positional play improves.
Klopp’s full-backs have a licence to attack and as well as being defensively sound, Milner has done some damage at the other end of the field.
There was the perfectly weighted pass for Roberto Firmino to open the scoring against Leicester and prior to that he popped up on the right to put one on a plate for Daniel Sturridge at Burton. He also held his nerve to slot home from the penalty spot at White Hart Lane.
Last Friday’s win over Chelsea was his 50th appearance for the club and he marked the milestone with another rock-solid display as Willian barely got a kick.
Milner is steady, reliable and composed. His position in the team may have changed but the vice-captain remains a key figure in the dressing room with his wealth of experience a valuable asset.
Going under the radar suits Milner down to the ground. He’s never sought the limelight but the part he’s played in Liverpool’s strong start to the campaign shouldn’t be overlooked.[/article]
[article]It was the burning issue after the transfer window closed.
Liverpool’s failure to sign a left-back was accompanied by warnings of impending doom.
How could Jurgen Klopp fail to address an area of such glaring weakness? Where was the Plan B after the Reds were unsuccessful in their pursuit of young Leicester City full-back Ben Chilwell?
Three weeks on the debate has been rendered irrelevant. The fact that nobody is talking about it is testament to the performances of the man who has filled the void.
Jurgen Klopp’s faith in James Milner to deliver in that role has been vindicated. It’s been typical Milner - understated but highly effective.
Since missing the opening weekend thriller at Arsenal due to a heel injury, the 30-year-old midfielder has been ever present at left-back in the Premier League.
Alberto Moreno was already on borrowed time after the events of last term but his nightmare at the Emirates ensured that the error-prone Spaniard would be relegated to bench duty.
Milner has already passed some of the toughest tests he will face all season. He dealt expertly with the threat of Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez and Chelsea’s Willian.
It was during Liverpool’s pre-season tour of America in July that Klopp first spoke to Milner about the prospect of changing positions this term. Deep down it must have hurt after chipping in with seven goals and 14 assists last season.
After all 12 months earlier he had been attracted to Anfield by Brendan Rodgers’ promise of the central midfield role that he was largely denied at Manchester City. He was tired of being shunted around.
But rather than sulk, Milner took it on the chin and embraced the challenge as he told Klopp: “I will give you the best that I can. The team comes first.” Football’s Mr Versatile joked that he only needed a stint in goal in order to “complete the set” having played everywhere else.
There have been no histrionics from the selfless Milner. He’s low maintenance and a model professional. He has simply knuckled down and dedicated himself to learning what’s expected of him in his new role. As a right-footer playing on the left, he’s spent hours studying footage to ensure his positional play improves.
Klopp’s full-backs have a licence to attack and as well as being defensively sound, Milner has done some damage at the other end of the field.
There was the perfectly weighted pass for Roberto Firmino to open the scoring against Leicester and prior to that he popped up on the right to put one on a plate for Daniel Sturridge at Burton. He also held his nerve to slot home from the penalty spot at White Hart Lane.
Last Friday’s win over Chelsea was his 50th appearance for the club and he marked the milestone with another rock-solid display as Willian barely got a kick.
Milner is steady, reliable and composed. His position in the team may have changed but the vice-captain remains a key figure in the dressing room with his wealth of experience a valuable asset.
Going under the radar suits Milner down to the ground. He’s never sought the limelight but the part he’s played in Liverpool’s strong start to the campaign shouldn’t be overlooked.[/article]
Milner is great. He doesn't have a mistake in him and he is getting better and better at leftback. He is even getting past players now!
Klopp actually said in his interview yesterday that Moreno has been one of the best trainers in training since he has been dropped. He said he was training great this week. Yet he still couldn't displace Milner.
Klopp actually said in his interview yesterday that Moreno has been one of the best trainers in training since he has been dropped. He said he was training great this week. Yet he still couldn't displace Milner.
I was made up when we signed him. As I said at the time (although it was a much longer version), he almost always gives you a minimum of a 7/10 game.
Every title winning side has a couple of those players in, giving consistently professional performances, they're just as important as the 'star' players.
Every title winning side has a couple of those players in, giving consistently professional performances, they're just as important as the 'star' players.
Why are you binnying your own post?
It was copy and pasted. It's copied the font/bold.
I'm not sure why, but he's really reminding me of Steve Finnan.
No nonsense, you can trust him, unflappable, terrific on the ball, unquestionable workrate, and will rarely ever let you down. As someone else said above, you're always better off with guys like him in your side.
No nonsense, you can trust him, unflappable, terrific on the ball, unquestionable workrate, and will rarely ever let you down. As someone else said above, you're always better off with guys like him in your side.
His got that curvey hunch when going forward like Finnan. Thats why.
Jamie Redknapp:
[article]James Milner is a manager's dream. He's been a flying winger, a solid central midfielder and is now impressing at left back.
It's very difficult to switch flanks but Milner looked so confident attacking down the left against Hull on Saturday.
There aren't many players these days who are so adaptable and he reminds me of Steve Nicol. I only played with Steve for a couple of years at Anfield but he was such an unsung hero in our squad, playing at centre back, right back or in midfield.
Milner may not be a long-term solution to Liverpool's left back problem but Jurgen Klopp is fortunate to have such a versatile player. [/article]
[article]James Milner is a manager's dream. He's been a flying winger, a solid central midfielder and is now impressing at left back.
It's very difficult to switch flanks but Milner looked so confident attacking down the left against Hull on Saturday.
There aren't many players these days who are so adaptable and he reminds me of Steve Nicol. I only played with Steve for a couple of years at Anfield but he was such an unsung hero in our squad, playing at centre back, right back or in midfield.
Milner may not be a long-term solution to Liverpool's left back problem but Jurgen Klopp is fortunate to have such a versatile player. [/article]
I don't know why he would prefer to be in the midfield, as a Klopp left back he see loads of the ball and is involved in the game a lot. We look so much more solid without the hapless Moreno.
Although Silva and Aguero get ll the plaudits I thought he warranted mom several times particularly in the CL, they were mad not to fight harder to keep him, their loss our gain.
Although Silva and Aguero get ll the plaudits I thought he warranted mom several times particularly in the CL, they were mad not to fight harder to keep him, their loss our gain.
I'm actually wondering if signing a left back may fuck us up. Milner has been capable of doing more than your typical full back does, not only defending very well, but covering the midfield when gaps appear & pushing forwards to great effect, he's also got a better cross than your average full back too, but cos I he's on opposite sides and unfortunately we don't see the traditional style wingers cross that I like so much & the modern game seems to have shrugged off to a large degree.
We'll miss his industry & his presence all over the pitch should we bring in a left back in January.
That's not to say he's been perfect, he does make the odd error due to him not being an actual full back all his career & being on his 'wrong' side (their goal on Saturday came from a corner he conceded needlessly if my memory serves) & I'm sure at some point one of these managers with better players at his disposal will target him more effectively.
In that respect I think we've been lucky to have played so many of the big sides so early, when perhaps they haven't had time to study our games & target him as a potential weak spot.
Utd have the manager to do that & the personnel to cause him issues by forcing him onto his weaker side & exploiting that slight positional niavety he occasionally displays when operating as a defending full back.
We'll miss his industry & his presence all over the pitch should we bring in a left back in January.
That's not to say he's been perfect, he does make the odd error due to him not being an actual full back all his career & being on his 'wrong' side (their goal on Saturday came from a corner he conceded needlessly if my memory serves) & I'm sure at some point one of these managers with better players at his disposal will target him more effectively.
In that respect I think we've been lucky to have played so many of the big sides so early, when perhaps they haven't had time to study our games & target him as a potential weak spot.
Utd have the manager to do that & the personnel to cause him issues by forcing him onto his weaker side & exploiting that slight positional niavety he occasionally displays when operating as a defending full back.
They did fight hard to keep him. The owner intervened and they also offered him more money
He's amazed me has Milner, I'd written him off halfway through last season as a complete flop but he came to form and was one of our key players in the charge to the Europa Final but then was clueless in the 2nd half of that game (like the rest) so I wanted him replaced by a better midfielder in the summer.
Once that happened, it seemed like a bad joke when Klopp started to talk about him as a left back and everyone I know was convinced it was a terrible mistake.
But he has been imperious in this role, absolutely brilliant both in support of the attack but also with some of his last ditch tackles and blocks. The only problem is refs are targeting him at the moment, never a yellow card on Saturday and he will be suspended before too long the way it's going. Best hope that Gomez is fit by then!
Once that happened, it seemed like a bad joke when Klopp started to talk about him as a left back and everyone I know was convinced it was a terrible mistake.
But he has been imperious in this role, absolutely brilliant both in support of the attack but also with some of his last ditch tackles and blocks. The only problem is refs are targeting him at the moment, never a yellow card on Saturday and he will be suspended before too long the way it's going. Best hope that Gomez is fit by then!
The yellow on Saturday was an absolute joke.
The tackle he made was quite literally a perfect tackle, yet the commentator I was listening to says it was justified cos he looked like he went in too hard.
That sums up modern football, sadly, perfect tackle, but cos it looked too aggressive, despite not actually being too aggressive, you get booked.
The tackle he made was quite literally a perfect tackle, yet the commentator I was listening to says it was justified cos he looked like he went in too hard.
That sums up modern football, sadly, perfect tackle, but cos it looked too aggressive, despite not actually being too aggressive, you get booked.
I advocated Milner a few years back but was wary of signing him last summer (along with Fark who was perhaps was more vocal about it I remember) as he was kinda similar to what we already had in central midfield.
Milner had a good enough first season but I don't think our midfield as a unit worked all that well. There were mitigating factors (such as the issues with Henderson) but the question marks were still there.
Klopp has lucked out here because he's gained Milner without being bound by the promise to play him as a central midfielder.
Does Milner have a best position or role? If so, what is it?
I'm leaning towards no and if he does, I'm not so sure it's central midfield. As much as it may frustrate him, I think his value to the squad doesn't come from his ability to play in any one particular position but his ability to start from a baseline of 6 or 7 out of 10 no matter where he plays.
Milner had a good enough first season but I don't think our midfield as a unit worked all that well. There were mitigating factors (such as the issues with Henderson) but the question marks were still there.
Klopp has lucked out here because he's gained Milner without being bound by the promise to play him as a central midfielder.
Does Milner have a best position or role? If so, what is it?
I'm leaning towards no and if he does, I'm not so sure it's central midfield. As much as it may frustrate him, I think his value to the squad doesn't come from his ability to play in any one particular position but his ability to start from a baseline of 6 or 7 out of 10 no matter where he plays.
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