Liverpool could select James Milner in their starting lineup for their opening league fixture against Norwich on Saturday, according to Liverpool Echo’s Chief LFC Writer Ian Doyle.
The journalist doesn’t claim to have any inside knowledge but he believes the 35-year-old’s experience may lead to manager Jurgen Klopp selecting him:
What would you do with #LFC on Saturday? ?https://t.co/B9OuVstxfA
— Ian Doyle (@IanDoyleSport) August 11, 2021
This suggestion hasn’t gone down too well with most fans on Twitter, who believe that Milner should no longer be a regular fixture in the first team:
We seriously need to move on from starting Milner, he should only be used in emergencies
— Zac (@LFCZacc) August 11, 2021
What a joke
— Luke (@LukeTG) August 11, 2021
I wish and hope that Elliott gets to start. The kid has the talent, skill and composure and a game against a promoted team is probably the kind of game that will help him settle too. Elliott over Milner for me! #LFC #NORLIV
— Zubin Daver (@zubinofficial) August 11, 2021
Why why and why. Thiago and Fabinho looked fine Keita and Elliot have been unreal don’t get the need to start him against Norwich
— Ryan (@LfcRyannnn) August 11, 2021
Idk about this, feel like Thiago keita Elliot would’ve worked
— Jacob???????? (@LfcJacobST) August 11, 2021
Why ?♂️
— Digger Barnes (@beaks1973) August 11, 2021
This is why we should’ve signed a midfielder
— Bunnyhop ⛷?? (@EoinFriedRice) August 11, 2021
Embarrassing
— Willie Bowe (@WillieBowe) August 11, 2021
People complaining clearly haven’t watched preseason, he was literally our best midfielder alongside Keita in that duration
— wkosbi (@wsh123456789101) August 11, 2021
Milner always puts in solid performances when he does start for the Reds so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he was named in the eleven, especially with captain Jordan Henderson not up to match fitness.
Klopp has always preferred to have a functional midfield three, and with his other selection options (Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Harvey Elliott) all more attack-minded, having someone like Milner in the team, who provides an assured presence in the middle of the park, maybe the wisest choice.