Bengaluru, February 18: Sadio Mane and his hat-trick grabbed the headlines when Liverpool thrashed FC Porto 5-0 in the Champions League. But what no one talked about, or didn't matter as much as Mane regaining his form for the Reds, was midfielder James Milner reaching seven assists in the competition.
Just seven?
Well, that's even more than what Kevin de Bruyne of Manchester City, Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe have managed in Europe's premier competition.
Quick reminder that James Milner is the Champions League top assister this season:
— Ladbrokes (@Ladbrokes) February 14, 2018
Milner - 🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯
KDB - 🎯🎯🎯🎯
Neymar - 🎯🎯🎯
Hazard - 🎯🎯
Messi - 🎯#LFC🔴 pic.twitter.com/GEjy67PygT
De Bruyne has four assists to his credit while Alli and Mbappe managed three. Milner's teammate Roberto Firmino has also managed four assists in seven matches in the Champions League.
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What makes Milner's feat more impressive is that he has only played five matches in the competition, out of which two were appearances from the bench.
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In the game against Porto, Milner played the role of a midfield destroyer - going through every 50:50 challenge and fouling Porto players several times to take one for the team. He even helped Jordan Henderson in providing a solid midfield base for Liverpool. When Henderson received the ball from his center-backs, he needed someone who could open their body to receive a pass and shift the ball up field. This was something Milner did often which ensured good link up play between the midfield and forwards. His assist for the fourth goal showed us his unselfish nature which puts the team above himself.
"He has told a few of us that over the last couple of hours, to be fair!"@JHenderson on James Milner topping the @ChampionsLeague assist chart and his all-round contribution to #LFC: https://t.co/JiYnpl5bbV pic.twitter.com/BySfMZU9YY
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 17, 2018
The only problem with James Milner is that he is 32 years old. His ageing limbs cannot play every game like the way he did at Porto. However, his willingness to put his hand up during important matches is what Liverpool desperately need. He does not have the creative guile of Coutinho or Lallana nor the energy and speed of Oxlade-Chamberlain. What he does have is solid technical know-how and versatility.
"The player I like is James Milner. He's the future, my future," Fabio Capello had famously said about Milner in 2008 when he was the England manager. That might have sounded strange but it gives you an idea of what managers thought of the beloved boring James Milner.
Roberto Mancini, Manuel Pellegrini, Brendan Rodgers and now Jurgen Klopp have all used James Milner when in need of a solid professional who will do what he's told without complaining.
Paul Pogba, signed for £89m needs a 12 man midfield and a Magic Genie to help him perform in one position.
— LFC Stanley House (@LFCStanleyHouse) February 16, 2018
James Milner, signed on a free transfer has performed in AM, CM, DM, RW, LW, LB#Difference
The world of football, which is now obsessed with selfie taking footballers, might find him uninteresting. However, one thing is for sure - James Milner doesn't care. He is always there to get the job done.