Garth Crooks makes strange claim about Liverpool midfielder James Milner

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Garth Crooks has claimed in his BBC Team of the Week column that Liverpool star James Milner should be considered for the Footballer of the Year award if Jurgen Klopp’s side win the Premier League title.

Milner, 33, was handed his second Premier League start of the campaign as The Reds took on an in-form Leicester City side who have been backed by many to finish in the top six places of England’s top tier.

The former England international provided a wonderful assist for Liverpool’s first goal, playing an excellent ball down the flank for Sadio Mane to latch on to, and score calmly past Kasper Schmeichel. James Maddison equalised in the second half.

Milner was then tasked with putting Liverpool ahead from the penalty spot in the 95th minute, and he sent Schmeichel the wrong way. Crooks reckons he is a contender for the Footballer of the Year award, an even an OBE for his services to the game.

“James Milner is back: back in the Liverpool team and back among the goals. The ball from Milner for Sadio Mane to slot home was just glorious,” Crooks said. “However the pressure to score a 95th-minute penalty when your team have underperformed, and knowing a victory keeps your unbeaten run alive, must have been excruciating.

“It is Milner’s coolness under extreme pressure that is so impressive and should Liverpool lift the title, he is a player that can seriously be considered for the Footballer of the Year award, if only for his service to the game. Or should that be an OBE?”

TBR’s view – Milner surely deserves new Liverpool contract

Even before Saturday’s win over Leicester, there had been talk that Milner was in talks with Liverpool over extending his contract by a further 12 months. After Saturday’s performance, surely another season at Anfield is deserved.

His current deal expires at the end of the season, but even Klopp has expressed just how important ‘Milly’ is to the Liverpool side. Handing him a new deal for the 2020-21 campaign is of utmost importance.