Joel Matip has claimed that James Milner is always the loudest player in the Liverpool team on match-days.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Matip was asked a series of questions about his match-day routine. When it was put to him who was the loudest in the dressing room before a game, Matip suggested two options, before settling on Milner.
“I would say Hendo (Jordan Henderson), Milly (Milner)… Milly for sure, he’s always quite sharp,” said the centre-back.
That’s exactly what you want to hear. The captain and the vice-captain are the two players who should absolutely be the loudest pre-game. Good to know that Henderson and Milner are taking their duties seriously.
Milner still a key man for Klopp
Matip’s admission is yet another illustration of just how important Milner still is to this Liverpool team.
Throughout his seven year spell at Anfield, he has rarely been one of the first names on the teamsheet. But whether it’s been at left-back, right-back or in the middle of the pitch, he’s still been a key player for Jurgen Klopp.
Just yesterday, Klopp was singing his praises yet again. Interestingly, the manager used exactly the same word as Matip to describe the 36-year-old: ‘sharp.’
That was to describe his performances on the pitch. But it’s off the pitch where his real value comes to light.
Some may have been expecting Milner to leave Liverpool this summer. After seven years, a full trophy cabinet and a slow transition into watching more often than playing, you couldn’t have blamed him for leaving.
But Klopp needs him. The manager was one of the key drivers behind Milner signing a new one-year deal worth a reported £140k-a-week.
That may seem a little high for a player who won’t always be near the team. But as Matip will testify to, he’s worth his weight in gold for the energy and focus he gives to those players around him.
Milner will leave Liverpool eventually. As long as he keeps demonstrating his worth to the squad, though he should be kept around for as long as possible.
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