Report: What James Milner did to Luis Diaz in the warm-up at Anfield yesterday

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James Milner has set about ensuring that Luis Diaz is feeling relaxed with life at Liverpool.

According to a report in The Athletic, the veteran Yorkshireman prepared Diaz for his Liverpool debut ahead of the game against Cardiff City yesterday.

As The Reds substitutes went through their traditional pre-game “rondos”, Milner did his best to make the new man feel part of the group.

The 36-year-old reportedly “laughed and motioned” towards Diaz to get him to work harder during the warm-ups.

Milner is known to be a hard task-master during training. But he also knows when it’s necessary to have a laugh with teammates.

Following the warm-ups, The Athletic report that Diaz was escorted to the bench by reserve goalkeeper Adrian. As one of the only native Spanish speakers in the squad, the 35-year-old ‘keeper took a seat next to the new signing during the game.

Veterans show their worth

Milner and in particular Adrian aren’t the most important players to Liverpool on the pitch. But that doesn’t mean that they aren’t contributing to the club.

Milner has been around elite first team football for 20 years. That kind of experience is absolutely priceless when it comes to welcoming new additions.

Having been at the club nearly seven of those 20 years, he knows it down to the ground. He is a trusted voice of Jurgen Klopp in the dressing.

The manager recently shared that he even let’s Milner, along with Jordan Henderson and Andy Robertson give the final address to the team before games.

“I run meetings during the week and stuff like that but the pep talk before the game, Milly, Hendo and some others like Robbo are more vocal in the last few minutes,” said Klopp via The Daily Mail.

It could be that Klopp has instructed his vice-captain to help make Diaz feel welcome. But it’s more likely that Milner’s natural leadership is taking over all by itself.

Adrian also deserves a mention. Although often derided by parts of the fanbase, he is clearly a very useful member of the squad.

He has slipped to third choice in the goalkeeping stakes and could soon be behind 19-year-old Marcelo Pitaluga too.

With another 18 months to go on his contract and with little sign of any game time, he is being kept around to provide exactly the kind of support he showed for Diaz yesterday.