Playing for 90
Fansided

Early season Liverpool player power rankings

By Chad Dingman

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool celebrates his team's victory following the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on October 29, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool celebrates his team's victory following the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on October 29, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 16
Next
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 06: Nordin Amrabat of Watford and James Milner of Liverpool in action during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Watford at Anfield on November 6, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 06: Nordin Amrabat of Watford and James Milner of Liverpool in action during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Watford at Anfield on November 6, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /

6. James Milner

The best Liverpool defender so far has been a natural midfielder. The extremely versatile 30-year-old has been a revelation at left back, solving the problem of a gaping hole down the left side usually left by the invisible Alberto Moreno. Through his nine matches, Milner has shown all the attacking capability that Moreno has, but with added assurance in all other areas. He has looked like he has been playing fullback for 10 years.

Milner has also done better than opposite fullback Nathaniel Clyne in most attacking categories.

Key passes: 1.9 per 90 (2nd in Premier League among fullbacks) compared to Clyne’s 1.5. Both fullbacks excel, but Milner edges out his teammate. Milner also plays 60 passes per 90, which is 2nd in the Premier League at his position as well. His 0.6 open play shots per 90 is in the top 10 among fullbacks.

Milner has also scored four goals so far this season, but they have all been penalty kicks, so that doesn’t truly help us in determining how good he has been.

The former Man City and Aston Villa man has had to adjust to a new position, and he has arguably performed better than Nathaniel Clyne. Milner’s emergence has been like a new signing for Liverpool, which was something desperately needed at left back. Jurgen Klopp has found a gem, and James Milner has found a new position. It will be interesting to watch as the season progresses how much confidence Klopp really has in Milner. I have to imagine it is at a high right now.

Home/Liverpool FC