However, when he moved to Aston Villa Martin O’Neil preferred to play him on the left. When Milner finally got his big move to Manchester City he was used as a utility player, sometimes he would play on the right, sometimes on the left and sometimes even in central midfield, I think he played a couple of games at right back. It was the same situation with his England career as Milner was mainly used to fill holes vacated by other players, and even though he did this very well, his inability to hold down a regular position meant that he was unable to grow into a role.There is one thing that Milner hasn’t had throughout his career until now and that is the guidance of a world class manager, we all know that Milner left Manchester City because he wanted to play in a more central role and this is an ideology that Klopp has brought into. I know he spent a full season playing at left back but that was primarily because we didn’t have a choice, Moreno was not capable of playing that position and as we had no other left back, Milner was the obvious choice to slot in there.
However, since last season Klopp has really embraced Milner’s ability to play centre midfield and he has developed it as well. It did take Milner a good couple of months to force his way into a more central role and I remember thinking at the beginning of last season if indeed he had a future at the club, how wrong I was.Milner has gone from strength to strength in centre midfield and has become the engine that drives the team forward, his energy and work rate is second to none and this was typified last season in the Champions League Quarter Final First Leg against Manchester City where Milner absolutely ran the show and played a key role in us getting that result. Milner finished the season leading the assists table in the Champions League and how he didn’t pick up an award for his performances in that competition is beyond me. However, he seems to have used that fact to up his game to another level this season as he has been arguably our best player so far.
He’s been compared to Steven Gerrard when the former Liverpool captain was also 32 but if I’m being honest I think that comparison is a little bit unfair on Milner as I think his performances this season have mirrored some of Gerrard’s best when he was at the peak of his powers. Just to put that into context Steven Gerrard is one of my all time heroes, I absolutely idolise the guy, so for me to be making that comparison speaks volumes about how well Milner is playing.At the age of 32 I don’t know how much Milner has got left in the tank, but what I do know is that he is proving age really doesn’t matter and like a fine wine, Milner is getting better with every year that goes by.Article by Imraan Adam @imadam786 New to the Redmen TV shop! Bobby Firmino tees! Available for a limited time only! 
