Jurgen Klopp will start James Milner against Everton in the Premier League on Monday
Phil Thompson, a Liverpool great, believes this. Thompson pushed Klopp to start Fabinho, Milner, and Jordan Henderson in midfield in an interview with Off The Ball on Friday.
“I know he [Fabinho] was ill last weekend, but if I were picking this team, I would go for him on Monday, Milner on Monday, and Henderson on Monday,” the 69-year-old stated.
“That leaves out Thiago, Bajcetic, who has done exceptionally well. But I believe this requires experience and strength, because Everton will go with Doucoure, Gana Gueye, and Onana again. These are some huge, strong guys. I believe we should match them. Here I am arguing that we should match them; that should not be the case.”
Milner moved from the center.
Even if Thiago is expected to miss tomorrow’s all-Merseyside derby, Milner is unlikely to start in midfield.
It goes without saying that the 37-year-old has started some of Liverpool’s most important games this season. Who can forget him playing at right-back against Manchester City in October, or again in January against Chelsea?
Both of those games, however, were at right-back, with Trent Alexander-Arnold suffering with fitness.
Milner has started all five Premier League games this season as full-back. Playing the £60,000-a-week midfielder is something Klopp rarely does anymore.
As a result, seeing Milner there tomorrow evening would be a great surprise. Trent, who is totally fit, will also not play right-back.
That is not to suggest that what Thommo is expressing here is incorrect. Everton’s midfield appears to be extremely physical. Liverpool must equal that.
Given that they’ve rarely done it against any other team this season, we’re not holding our breath. You can’t help but be concerned when you consider the form of Fabinho and Henderson.
That concern is likely to extend to Liverpool’s manager as well. Regardless of how concerned he is, we don’t expect to see Milner from the start tomorrow. The fact that this is still a semi-realistic proposition highlights the Reds’ troubles this season.
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