Former Liverpool player James Milner set a new Premier League record on Saturday as he reached 654 Premier League appearances.
Despite joining the Reds at the age of 29, Milner played more league matches for Liverpool than any of his other five clubs, racking up 230 under Jurgen Klopp.
Klopp has always been effusive with praise of his former vice-captain, and on the occasion of Milner‘s record-making turn, the German has been speaking glowingly about him once again.
Got a horrible feeling Slot is going to keep Gakpo in the XI and drop Salah 😬 Who should be the front four vs Forest?
Liverpool predicted XI vs Nottingham Forest
Liverpool predicted XI vs Nottingham Forest
Taking time out of his schedule with Red Bull, the former Liverpool manager spoke to ESPN to hail Milner and look back on their time at Anfield together.
When people usually talk about 40-year-old veteran, they praise his professionalism, consistency and longevity, but according to Klopp, Milner is also a much more skilful player than anybody realises.
Klopp ranks Milner as ‘top five’ skillsets he coached
Klopp and Milner clearly have a brilliant rapport having spent almost eight years together at Liverpool.
But as well as being a fan of the person, the former boss says his old No. 7 could also play a bit too, surprisingly ranking his overall football skillset as amongst the top five he ever coached.
Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
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“Most important is his general skillset,” said Klopp. “If I would have to describe the player Milly was in training from a skillset point of view, I would say he has absolutely everything and shows only 50-60 per cent of it in games.
“Not that that makes it worse, it’s just that his own picture of the player he wants to be kicks out all the fancy stuff! He is both footed, right, left, extremely good on both, not exactly the same with the left, but really good. He is a decent speed, he’s fast, he can dribble, he can do all these things. Good in tight spaces, good in big spaces, but his attitude for the game and how he sees himself and how he wants to contribute to the team performance makes it clear the fancy stuff will not be there! It’s not for Sunday or Saturday, it’s just for the daily basis.
“It’s really funny, because he’s definitely one of the top five players I worked with from a skillset point of view, it’s crazy. And I don’t think anybody would see it that way, they think about him being honest and a top professional but I can tell you he could do it all, he just didn’t think it was for a matchday!”
Where do you rank James Milner in the pantheon of Liverpool greats?
James Milner lifts the Champions League trophy in front of the Liverpool fans at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid (Credit: Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA
Pep Guardiola congratulates Milner
Clearly, Milner has garnered a lot of attention this weekend as he sets the bar for appearances in the Premier League.
As one of his great adversaries during the Brighton man’s time at Liverpool, few would have expected Pep Guardiola to be one of those praising Milner.
However, the three-time Premier League winner secured two of those titles with City, and Guardiola classily began his press conference after Saturday’s 2-1 win over Newcastle with a message of congratulations.
“Before we start, let me say one word on behalf of Man City to James Milner, who today made an incredible milestone to be the player with the most appearances in the Premier League,” he said. “[Gareth] Barry is there but it’s incredible, so hats off because this is consistency, this is love for the game.
“I know he will become an incredible top golf player! But what he has done is unbelievable. So on behalf of Man City, you played here, so, James, congratulations you deserve it.”
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