James Milner’s 2017/18 Champions League campaign remains one of the great Liverpool European stories.
The former Reds midfielder set the single-season assist record in the competition with nine, a tally that saw him move clear of Wayne Rooney and Neymar during the Reds’ run to the final.
For Liverpool supporters, it is a record that feels especially fitting. Milner was never the headline act in that side, but his delivery, intelligence and reliability made him a huge part of Jurgen Klopp’s march through Europe, with Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah among the biggest beneficiaries.
But that mark is suddenly under real threat from a player the Premier League champions admire: Michael Olise. UEFA’s current Champions League stats show the ex-Crystal Palace man already has seven assists for Bayern Munich in 2025/26, with Vinicius Junior also on seven for Real Madrid, and both still have at least a quarter-final tie to play.
Just how bad do you want Arne Slot gone? 😬
Bayern face Real Madrid in the last eight, meaning Milner’s long-standing Liverpool record is now directly in the sights of a reported Reds transfer target.
Liverpool have every reason to keep watching Michael Olise
That will only sharpen interest at Anfield. It was reported in March that Olise remains a “dream target” for Slot’s side, although the move is currently viewed internally as unrealistic, with Bayern not looking to sell and instead planning to improve his contract beyond 2029.
Even if a transfer looks difficult, the Merseyside outfit’s admiration makes plenty of sense. The Frenchman is not just posting huge Bundesliga numbers, he is also doing it on the biggest European stage.
Seven Champions League assists in nine appearances is elite output, and it speaks to the kind of final-third quality Liverpool will need to preserve as they prepare for life after Salah.
There would be a certain irony if the man to threaten one of the Reds’ proudest modern European records is someone the club would love to bring to Merseyside.
In one sense, it would be painful for Milner’s name to be nudged down the list. In another, it would be the strongest possible evidence that FSG and co. are chasing the right calibre of forward.
And that is the real takeaway here. Records are there to be attacked by top players in top teams. If the Bayern ace does go beyond nine before this season is done, Liverpool may see it as another reminder that their “dream” target is operating at exactly the level required to make a difference at Anfield.
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