Liverpool had a tough start to the season this year, culminating in a humiliating 4-1 loss to Napoli away from home last week.
Players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk are yet to be recognized. Nor does he usually have the hardness of James Milner.
The experienced midfielder has been a man popular with Liverpool fans and manager Jurgen Klopp since he arrived at the club in 2015.
Loyal, applicable and extremely powerful are words many use to describe the 36-year-old, but of late Milner has been full of his accomplishments on the pitch.
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– I hate to say it
Due to the injuries of several midfielders, Milner played from the beginning in the loss to Manchester United in the league and Napoli in the Champions League, without affecting either of the two matches.
Erik Thorstvedt, TV 2 football expert, believes there are indications that Milner really struggled last season, and that the 36-year-old’s time at the top level is now over.
He’s the kind who can step in when he’s best. But when he gets in and grabs a midfield at Liverpool, it immediately gets worse. He’s been a great player for Liverpool, but there’s definitely an end to it, Thorstedt tells Nettavizen.
Watch how Klopp describes the brutal defeat against Napoli here:
British expert Noel Whelan agrees with Thurstedt, and it’s quite clear that Harvey Elliott should be prioritized from the start over Milner when Thiago returns from injury.
– I hate to say it, because he’s a wonderful man. He served all his clubs superbly and was brilliant in the Premier League. He adds that when you look at what Harvey Elliott has to offer, it’s clear that Milner should leave football inside.
Scottish expert Frank McAfeny believes that age has finally come to Milner.
Disrespect for Milner, but it’s a game for young players. He can be replaced, but he can’t start matches anymore. He says younger players will outperform him and Henderson, especially in Europe.
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– Not close
It remains to be seen if Milner will have the confidence from the start in Tuesday’s Champions League match against Ajax at home at Anfield. Regardless, Liverpool fans expect an improvement from the humiliation inflicted on Napoli.
Thorstvedt thinks many of Liverpool’s players are clearly out of shape, and believes the usual intensity of the squad has not yet existed this season.
In terms of severity, it’s not close to the rhythm of the disease and the high frequency that it usually does, he says.
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However, a positive sign for Liverpool is that Thiago looks set to return for Tuesday’s match. Thorstvedt thinks this is very important.
– Then he begins to recover. He says it’s players like this who have to carry it and control the game.
Tuesday’s match against Ajax starts at 21:00 and is broadcast on TV 2 Premium. You can follow the match live in Netvision Life Center.
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