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James Milner, 37, epitomizes the old-fashioned, back-to-basics approach that Jurgen Klopp requires with an impressive display against Chelsea as Liverpool look to emerge from a difficult situation.
At a freezing Anfield with most players choosing to wear gloves, 37-year-old James Milner opted for a short-sleeved shirt and definitely nothing to protect his fingers.
It was the kind of old-fashioned, back-to-basics that Jurgen Klopp craves to help Liverpool out of their doldrums.
Milner played in Klopp’s first win in England, against Chelsea in 2015, and was still valuable in the 1,000th match of his manager’s career.
James Milner, 37, epitomized the basic style needed by Jurgen Klopp’s team
With Trent Alexander-Arnold out of the game after a muscle injury, the veteran lasted 72 minutes at right-back and received a generous round of applause when he was substituted for his Liverpool part keeping a clean sheet.
Milner has a different set of drums than the rest of us. He wore the captain’s armband in Jordan Henderson’s absence and led by example, ensuring Liverpool were competitive and hard to break on an afternoon when the wind made attractive football tricky.
He got past teenager Lewis Hall and then did just enough to prevent Chelsea debutant Mykhailo Mudryk from scoring at the far post after the Ukrainian came on as a substitute.
Milner showed his quality during an intriguing battle with Chelsea youngster Lewis Hall
This Liverpool team is a million miles away from the glory that played under Klopp in winning the Premier League and Champions League, but men like Milner have made sure to hang in there until injured attackers like Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota are fit. to return.
However, it started with a scare. Kai Havertz scored a rebound in the first minute, and when deeper defender Milner was relieved, the scorer was deemed offside by VAR.
There were other moments too, Alisson making a reflex save to deny Benoit Badiashile, but this was overall a grittier Liverpool than we’ve seen this season, matching Milner’s personality and bearded new look.
It will not be the last time that Klopp uses his most experienced player to help his team
Attacking-wise, he had neither the pace nor the tricks to test Marc Cucurella’s defensive vulnerabilities, but he supplied a steady stream of crosses that created chances for Thiago and Mo Salah.
Mudryk’s arrival after 55 minutes presented a new challenge to the teenager Hall, usually a left-back, but Graham Potter later deployed him.
The first duel between Milner and Mudryk saw the Liverpool man use his experience to win a free kick. When Mudryk was in position to score at the far post, Milner put his body in the way and sent the forward into a shot that he hit into the side netting.
Klopp brought in Alexander-Arnold for Milner with 20 minutes to go as he tried to turn a point into three.
But it won’t be the last time the German uses his most experienced player to help Liverpool out of a rut.