How James Milner made a claim for a Liverpool midfield role with his performance against Hoffenheim

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It came as a surprise to many that James Milner started the 2017/18 season on the bench for Liverpool. The experienced vice-captain was dropped in favour of Alberto Moreno at left-back and only emerged as a late substitute against Watford at the weekend. His appearance against Hoffenheim was much more interesting to see the role he will play this season.

With the club’s pursuit of Naby Keita ending in failure, Klopp has been forced to reconsider his midfield options, and when Milner replaced Henderson shortly after the hour mark, it became obvious that the number seven was one option being considered.

Milner made a superb case for himself, with his strike proving to be the winner. It may have come from a deflected cross, which may have gone down as an own goal for former West Ham man Haavard Nordtveit, but the intent was clear for all to see.

What was perhaps most impressive and most telling from that move was in fact Milner’s run. Not playing at left-back, he found himself in acre of space on the wing as his intelligence saw him exploit the gaps in Hoffenheim’s defence as Georgino Wijnaldum played a quick free-kick.

That was a move that Milner often looked to make, drifting wide to add another dimension to the Liverpool attack as the front three interchanged. With three crosses, two of them successful, it worked well and provided chances for Roberto Firmino and later Dominic Solanke.

Milner also added much needed experience and leadership into midfield. Whilst he was primarily focusing on the offensive side of the game, with Emre Can replacing Henderson in the deeper role, Milner’s co-ordination avoided the kind of poor position that has cost Liverpool previously. In particular, on the left of the midfield three, he communicated with Alberto Moreno to restrict the Spaniard’s marauding runs forward.

It may have been less than half an hour for Milner, but with Jordan Henderson in disappointing form, he made his case to become a regular in midfield. Missing out on Keita may have been a blow to Liverpool’s transfer activity this summer and Milner is undeniably a different kind of option, but he could be a reliable stop gap until next summer.