Interesting read. My thoughts are below the article.
================
James Milner: Is Liverpool vice-captain set to become utility man again?
Milner linked up with the Reds squad shortly before their flight to the US, bolstering Jurgen Klopp‘s ranks ahead of a testing period across the Atlantic.
Joined by his fellow England internationals on Friday, the 30-year-old made his first appearance in Thursday morning’s 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in the International Champions Cup.
But replacing Connor Randall at right-back just after the hour mark at the Rose Bowl, Milner operated in an unlikely position.
Renowned as something of a utility man for much of his career, this tactical switch from Klopp may have pointed towards a reversion to type from Liverpool’s experienced vice-captain.
James Milner
“I’m Milner’s No. 1 fan,” former Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini told the Guardian months before the Englishman made the move to Anfield from the Etihad Stadium.
“Find me a more complete English player. There are players who’re better technically, yes. Quicker players, yes. Players who head better, yes.
“But show me one who does all the things Milner does well. There isn’t one.”
As those who have overseen his development as a player throughout a 14-year senior career to date, Milner is a manager’s dream; as invaluable to Sam Allardyce as he was Roberto Mancini.
Pellegrini described him as “polyfunctional,” and, in some respects, this may be why the Yorkshireman received such a muted reception on his free transfer to Anfield last summer.
With the ‘boring’ tag following him across the M62, Milner slotted in alongside newly appointed captain, Jordan Henderson, as the refined, very ordinary face of Liverpool Football Club; the most unassuming of poster boys in a post-Steven Gerrard landscape.
Milner arrived on one condition, however, and that was to drop the “polyfunctional” persona and finally take up a regular role as a central midfielder.
Brendan Rodgers duly obliged, but the performances failed to follow—Milner scored one goal and laid on two assists in eight appearances in his favoured position in the Premier League.
With Rodgers’ dismissal and Klopp’s appointment, Milner’s role changed. This gentleman’s agreement was rescinded, with the German wiping the slate clean after a poor start to the season.
Fortunately, Milner’s performances followed, and he soon carved out a regular role on the flanks of Klopp’s 4-2-3-1, scoring four goals and registering nine assists from out wide.
This included a remarkable run of three goals and three assists in five games around the turn of the year.
However, Milner was never Klopp’s first choice on either wing, withPhilippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana preferred, and this is a situation only magnified by the signings Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum this summer.
Liverpool’s Full-Back Options
That Milner came on at right-back against Chelsea was indicative of two things: a wealth of options in Klopp’s attacking ranks, and a dearth of options in his full-back ranks.
With Nathaniel Clyne missing through injury, Brad Smith sold to Bournemouth and Jon Flanagan back in the UK considering a season-long loan move to Burnley, Klopp’s available left- and right-backs for the Reds’ tour of the US are thin.
Randall started against the Blues, with Alberto Moreno operating on the opposite flank, and with Andre Wisdom deputising in an injury-hit central group, Milner was Klopp’s only viable option.
Heading into the 2016/17 campaign, with Clyne due back in action in the coming days, Klopp’s full-backs are still few and far between.
A failure to sign Leicester City left-back Ben Chilwell has left the German wanting in terms of cover, or competition, for Moreno, while a lack of quality in his backup right-backs suggest reinforcement would be required in both positions.
Liverpool are expected to sign a new left-back this summer, though Klopp’s alternative targets remain unclear, but there has been no suggestion so far that they will look to draft in another right-back.
Wisdom is expected to be sold, Randall has been linked with a loan move and Trent Alexander-Arnold will join up with Michael Beale‘s under-23s on his return to Merseyside.
If Milner’s cameo in Pasadena is anything to go by, this could leave the vice-captain as Klopp’s go-to guy if Clyne is unavailable.
Jurgen Klopp’s Utility Man?
Like Pellegrini, Klopp has already noted Milner’s ability to shine in different positions, telling reporters after his first game as Liverpool manager that the ex-City man was “the complete football player.”
Milner played in five different positions for the German in 2015/16, including an appearance on either defensive flank.
He was drafted in at right-back following the withdrawal of Jon Flanaganin March’s 2-1 win away to Crystal Palace in the Premier League, though he was sent off for two bookable offence shortly after.
Meanwhile, in Liverpool’s second leg against Manchester United in the Europa League’s last 16 less than two weeks later, Milner filled in at left-back, deputising for the injured Alberto Moreno, and shone.
Speaking after his performance in the latter, Milner admitted: “It’s not a position I want to play, but the team comes first before any individuals and we got the result we needed which is all that matters.”
Pellegrini also attested to Milner’s dissatisfaction in the full-back role last year, saying it was “the only position he doesn’t like.”
However, as he showed against Chelsea, balancing defence with attack comfortably, Milner is capable of performing at right-back.
With added competition, and goalscorers—which, averaging a goal every 10 Premier League games, or 700 minutes, throughout his career, Milner is not—in both midfield and attack this summer, it may be where he’s seen more often in 2016/17.
A victim of his own versatility, Milner looks likely to become Klopp’s utility man this season.
======================
I know Milner has his fans here who think he should be one of the key players and settled in his preferred CM position. This is why he moved from a richer team with whom he won two EPL titles to a team was objectively a level below, trading a utility role in the former for what he hoped would be a key role in the latter. However things have changed with Klopp's arrival. This team has few bona-fide stars, but the quality and depth particularly after this transfer window is higher than at any point in recent years. I feel that with Klopp we can genuinely compete with City or any other team in the country and we are likely to steadily improve year after year instead of following one year of promise with several years of stagnation and disappointment, as has become the pattern.
I don't mean to say we are going to win everything this season and everything is going to be rosy and flawless from now on, but I really think that right now the likes of City and Chelsea, United and Arsenal will have just as much reason to fear playing us as we playing them. Our biggest weakness last season was horrible lack of consistency and that's why it was so important that this summer's transfers address all the issues that contributed to that lack of consistency one by one – and that's exactly what happened (well, in truth there is still one or two more holes to patch, but summer isn't over yet).
Back to Milner though, clearly the rationale that brought him here no longer exists and Klopp is not bound by whatever tacit agreement Milner may or may not have had with Rodgers. It needs to be acknowledged that as talented as Milner is, the two most high-profile managers he has worked with in his career – Roberto Mancini and Manuel Pellegrini – both viewed him primarily as a utility man, a jack-of-all-trades player rather than someone to build the team around. There are plenty of signs that Klopp generally views Milner in the same way – that's why he played in 5 different positions in his first few months in charge. It also can be argued that it's actually better for Milner as a player too – he seemed burdened by the responsibility of filling Gerrard's shoes under Rodgers, but his form improved dramatically under Klopp, despite (or maybe because) being shuffled between different positions. Sometimes the player's self-image simply doesn't match the reality and it's the manager's job to make decisions based on reality.
So once again, it's clear Milner has a lot of fans (which he fully deserves) who expect him to play a big role next season. However I would argue that this role will be, after all, once again of a utility man who plays in whatever position needs more help at any point. I don't know if he will be happy with it – if he has to play full-back a lot then probably not – but I guess it's not the worst thing in the world to play for Liverpool at an exciting time in its history, under a world-class manager who trusts you as one of the senior players of the squad. It may happen that Milner will leave after 1 or 2 years and will try again to make a step down in order to secure a bigger role, but he will be an important player this season even without a defined starting position. I hope that this season Henderson returns to his best form to partner Can in midfield as the first-choice option and Wijnaldum hits the ground running as the most attack-minded of the CM 3 (when we play that system), while Milner can compete for both of these roles as well as cover on the wings and an emergency full-back.
================
James Milner: Is Liverpool vice-captain set to become utility man again?
- Joining Liverpool last summer, James Milner aimed to hold on a regular role in midfield, but his versatility may put paid to that this season.
Milner linked up with the Reds squad shortly before their flight to the US, bolstering Jurgen Klopp‘s ranks ahead of a testing period across the Atlantic.
Joined by his fellow England internationals on Friday, the 30-year-old made his first appearance in Thursday morning’s 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in the International Champions Cup.
But replacing Connor Randall at right-back just after the hour mark at the Rose Bowl, Milner operated in an unlikely position.
Renowned as something of a utility man for much of his career, this tactical switch from Klopp may have pointed towards a reversion to type from Liverpool’s experienced vice-captain.
James Milner
“I’m Milner’s No. 1 fan,” former Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini told the Guardian months before the Englishman made the move to Anfield from the Etihad Stadium.
“Find me a more complete English player. There are players who’re better technically, yes. Quicker players, yes. Players who head better, yes.
“But show me one who does all the things Milner does well. There isn’t one.”
As those who have overseen his development as a player throughout a 14-year senior career to date, Milner is a manager’s dream; as invaluable to Sam Allardyce as he was Roberto Mancini.
Pellegrini described him as “polyfunctional,” and, in some respects, this may be why the Yorkshireman received such a muted reception on his free transfer to Anfield last summer.
With the ‘boring’ tag following him across the M62, Milner slotted in alongside newly appointed captain, Jordan Henderson, as the refined, very ordinary face of Liverpool Football Club; the most unassuming of poster boys in a post-Steven Gerrard landscape.
Milner arrived on one condition, however, and that was to drop the “polyfunctional” persona and finally take up a regular role as a central midfielder.
Brendan Rodgers duly obliged, but the performances failed to follow—Milner scored one goal and laid on two assists in eight appearances in his favoured position in the Premier League.
With Rodgers’ dismissal and Klopp’s appointment, Milner’s role changed. This gentleman’s agreement was rescinded, with the German wiping the slate clean after a poor start to the season.
Fortunately, Milner’s performances followed, and he soon carved out a regular role on the flanks of Klopp’s 4-2-3-1, scoring four goals and registering nine assists from out wide.
This included a remarkable run of three goals and three assists in five games around the turn of the year.
However, Milner was never Klopp’s first choice on either wing, withPhilippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana preferred, and this is a situation only magnified by the signings Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum this summer.
Liverpool’s Full-Back Options
That Milner came on at right-back against Chelsea was indicative of two things: a wealth of options in Klopp’s attacking ranks, and a dearth of options in his full-back ranks.
With Nathaniel Clyne missing through injury, Brad Smith sold to Bournemouth and Jon Flanagan back in the UK considering a season-long loan move to Burnley, Klopp’s available left- and right-backs for the Reds’ tour of the US are thin.
Randall started against the Blues, with Alberto Moreno operating on the opposite flank, and with Andre Wisdom deputising in an injury-hit central group, Milner was Klopp’s only viable option.
Heading into the 2016/17 campaign, with Clyne due back in action in the coming days, Klopp’s full-backs are still few and far between.
A failure to sign Leicester City left-back Ben Chilwell has left the German wanting in terms of cover, or competition, for Moreno, while a lack of quality in his backup right-backs suggest reinforcement would be required in both positions.
Liverpool are expected to sign a new left-back this summer, though Klopp’s alternative targets remain unclear, but there has been no suggestion so far that they will look to draft in another right-back.
Wisdom is expected to be sold, Randall has been linked with a loan move and Trent Alexander-Arnold will join up with Michael Beale‘s under-23s on his return to Merseyside.
If Milner’s cameo in Pasadena is anything to go by, this could leave the vice-captain as Klopp’s go-to guy if Clyne is unavailable.
Jurgen Klopp’s Utility Man?
Like Pellegrini, Klopp has already noted Milner’s ability to shine in different positions, telling reporters after his first game as Liverpool manager that the ex-City man was “the complete football player.”
Milner played in five different positions for the German in 2015/16, including an appearance on either defensive flank.
He was drafted in at right-back following the withdrawal of Jon Flanaganin March’s 2-1 win away to Crystal Palace in the Premier League, though he was sent off for two bookable offence shortly after.
Meanwhile, in Liverpool’s second leg against Manchester United in the Europa League’s last 16 less than two weeks later, Milner filled in at left-back, deputising for the injured Alberto Moreno, and shone.
Speaking after his performance in the latter, Milner admitted: “It’s not a position I want to play, but the team comes first before any individuals and we got the result we needed which is all that matters.”
Pellegrini also attested to Milner’s dissatisfaction in the full-back role last year, saying it was “the only position he doesn’t like.”
However, as he showed against Chelsea, balancing defence with attack comfortably, Milner is capable of performing at right-back.
With added competition, and goalscorers—which, averaging a goal every 10 Premier League games, or 700 minutes, throughout his career, Milner is not—in both midfield and attack this summer, it may be where he’s seen more often in 2016/17.
A victim of his own versatility, Milner looks likely to become Klopp’s utility man this season.
======================
I know Milner has his fans here who think he should be one of the key players and settled in his preferred CM position. This is why he moved from a richer team with whom he won two EPL titles to a team was objectively a level below, trading a utility role in the former for what he hoped would be a key role in the latter. However things have changed with Klopp's arrival. This team has few bona-fide stars, but the quality and depth particularly after this transfer window is higher than at any point in recent years. I feel that with Klopp we can genuinely compete with City or any other team in the country and we are likely to steadily improve year after year instead of following one year of promise with several years of stagnation and disappointment, as has become the pattern.
I don't mean to say we are going to win everything this season and everything is going to be rosy and flawless from now on, but I really think that right now the likes of City and Chelsea, United and Arsenal will have just as much reason to fear playing us as we playing them. Our biggest weakness last season was horrible lack of consistency and that's why it was so important that this summer's transfers address all the issues that contributed to that lack of consistency one by one – and that's exactly what happened (well, in truth there is still one or two more holes to patch, but summer isn't over yet).
Back to Milner though, clearly the rationale that brought him here no longer exists and Klopp is not bound by whatever tacit agreement Milner may or may not have had with Rodgers. It needs to be acknowledged that as talented as Milner is, the two most high-profile managers he has worked with in his career – Roberto Mancini and Manuel Pellegrini – both viewed him primarily as a utility man, a jack-of-all-trades player rather than someone to build the team around. There are plenty of signs that Klopp generally views Milner in the same way – that's why he played in 5 different positions in his first few months in charge. It also can be argued that it's actually better for Milner as a player too – he seemed burdened by the responsibility of filling Gerrard's shoes under Rodgers, but his form improved dramatically under Klopp, despite (or maybe because) being shuffled between different positions. Sometimes the player's self-image simply doesn't match the reality and it's the manager's job to make decisions based on reality.
So once again, it's clear Milner has a lot of fans (which he fully deserves) who expect him to play a big role next season. However I would argue that this role will be, after all, once again of a utility man who plays in whatever position needs more help at any point. I don't know if he will be happy with it – if he has to play full-back a lot then probably not – but I guess it's not the worst thing in the world to play for Liverpool at an exciting time in its history, under a world-class manager who trusts you as one of the senior players of the squad. It may happen that Milner will leave after 1 or 2 years and will try again to make a step down in order to secure a bigger role, but he will be an important player this season even without a defined starting position. I hope that this season Henderson returns to his best form to partner Can in midfield as the first-choice option and Wijnaldum hits the ground running as the most attack-minded of the CM 3 (when we play that system), while Milner can compete for both of these roles as well as cover on the wings and an emergency full-back.
