---
title: "Liverpool: Fans believe that James Milner is past his best"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/liverpool-fans-believe-that-james-milner-is-past-his-best/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Nathan Linley"
section: "Liverpool Football Club"
published: "2020-10-21T20:54:05Z"
modified: "2020-10-21T20:56:14Z"
---

# Liverpool: Fans believe that James Milner is past his best

**Many [Liverpool](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league/liverpool/) fans believe that midfielder [James Milner](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/james-milner/) is no longer the player he once was after witnessing his performance, despite his side coming out as 1-0 winners against Ajax.**

The 34-year-old [started](https://www.fotmob.com/livescores/3461675/lineup/ajax-vs-liverpool?date=20201021) alongside Georginio Wijnaldum and Curtis Jones – who was replaced at half-time by Jordan Henderson – and found himself in a physical battle with likes of former Manchester United and Everton players Daley Blind and Davy Klaassen from the first whistle.

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Milner has not been a regular starter for the Merseysiders for some time and is yet to make the first eleven in the current Premier League campaign, having only made nine starts during their title-winning season (via [Whoscored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/4511/History/James-Milner)).

Despite this, Klopp previously described the veteran as a “role model” after he was part of their cup runs last season, where many first-team players were rested to prioritise their league, European and Club World Cup campaigns respectively (via [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11669/11819665/jurgen-klopp-praises-liverpool-role-model-james-milner)).

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However, supporters were beginning to run out of patience with the vice-captain, mainly due to him being behind the play for large parts of the first part, which resulted in him going into the referee’s book in the [38th](https://www.fotmob.com/livescores/3461675/liveticker/ajax-vs-liverpool?date=20201021) minute.

### Fans not impressed with the performance they saw from Milner

> Milner with his usual poor ball control almost cost a goal but was bailed by Fabinho. Great pro but Milner is too limited at this level [#lfc](https://twitter.com/hashtag/lfc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — Deji Guerrero (@Deji500) [October 21, 2020](https://twitter.com/Deji500/status/1319006089451589633?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Milner is finished. Bang average. [#LFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/LFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — Kloppinell’ (@KOPrumours) [October 21, 2020](https://twitter.com/KOPrumours/status/1319004617833840648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Curtis Jones average.\
> Trent quiet.\
> Milner is past it.\
> Robertson lively, so too Mane.\
> Fabinho man of the match so far.\
> Salah trying hard, could’ve scored.\
> Adrian nervy but made a good save or 2, surprisingly. [#LFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/LFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — My Surname is Khan™ (@ejaz\_k) [October 21, 2020](https://twitter.com/ejaz_k/status/1319003506028777477?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Milner been a total liability. This game is all wrong for him. Their midfield too nippy for him. [#LFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/LFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — CL Collins (@CL\_\_Collins) [October 21, 2020](https://twitter.com/CL__Collins/status/1319002111141621762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Milner is like a old man, get Henderson on 2nd half [#LFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/LFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — newman40 (@newman40) [October 21, 2020](https://twitter.com/newman40/status/1319001852822913024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

In other news, [ex-referee feels Jordan Henderson’s late derby winner should’ve stood](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/liverpool-fc-news/liverpool-keith-hackett-has-his-say-on-jordan-hendersons-disallowed-goal/).