The Liverpool-Klopp one year anniversary: Top 5 player developments

By Tom Bogert | Oct 5, 2016

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 06: A jubilant Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool with Emre Can and Adam Lallana of Liverpool after the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on March 6, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) /

2 of 6

Liverpool’s German head coach Jurgen Klopp (R) shakes hands with Liverpool’s English midfielder James Milner after the UEFA Europe League quarter-final, first-leg football match Borussia Dortmund vs Liverpool FC in Dortmund, western Germany on April 7, 2016.The match ended with a 1-1 draw. / AFP / John MACDOUGALL (Photo credit should read JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP/Getty Images) /

5. James Milner

Milner is essentially still the same player he was when Klopp took over, but even more rounded and integral and amorphous and chameleonic than he already was.

Last year, Milner could play in the center and wide midfield, though he preferred the central theatre. With Klopp, he was able to run more and form an ubiquitous fog of moving legs with Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana.

There were games that he’d play in the center but fill the duties of a right midfielder as Klopp would deploy an unbalanced formation, knowing that between Milner and Nathaniel Clyne they’d have it covered. That’s a huge skill, as boring and mundane it may seem.

This season, Milner has morphed into a fullback and a more than competent one at that.

Just to summarize, he’s a leader who can effortlessly play left, right or center mid as well as either fullback. AND take penalties.

Home/Liverpool FC News