Garth Crooks thinks Liverpool midfielder James Milner is an early candidate to become the PFA Players’ Player of the Year.

The 32-year-old has started all five of the Reds’ Premier League games so far this season, and he has been hailed by the BBC pundit for his performances:

“James Milner’s understanding of a game of football is second to none and already Milner is looking like my early candidate for Footballer of the Year. I strongly believe that accolade belongs to a member of the team that wins the title. So you can see where I’m going with this folks.”

Milner’s career at Anfield has taken a surprising upturn over the past year. Favoured by Jurgen Klopp as a left-back during his first full season in charge, the German then backtracked and reverted to using him in his favoured central midfield role.

The former England international has not looked back since then. He scored one goal and provided 11 assists in 47 matches last campaign, breaking the Champions League assist record (8) in the process.

He has continued in a rich vein of form this season with one goal (a penalty against Crystal Palace), and two assists (one against West Ham on the opening day, and another versus Leicester City).