James Milner has proven himself to be a wise old player over the years, having already turned out for some of the most successful teams in the country, and now he’s using all his knowledge to cool the fears of Liverpool fans, who have recently seen their team squander a significant lead at the top of the table.
In an interview with Liverpoolfc.com Milner exclaimed, “It is like that in football. You have ups and downs in your career and you have ups and down within a season”. And Liverpool are certainly facing a short “down” stint having dropped points to (with the greatest of respect) lesser opponents in Leicester City and West Ham United.
He was quick to add, however, that: “I think we should enjoy being in this position, these are the positions you want to play in. It is a lot worse at the bottom end of the league when you are fighting against relegation or playing for nothing in mid-table, so let’s enjoy it and push forward together – ourselves, the fans and the whole club – and embrace it.”
The veteran utility man isn’t wrong either. He was there at Manchester City when they pulled off the impossible comeback against QPR to clinch the title, he’s done it all before. He knows the power of squad morale, and the huge role fans have in boosting it.
Liverpool have a relatively easy schedule ahead of them compared to their title challenging hopefuls and providing the players keep a steady head, they should be able to pull themselves out of this rut and press on for 1st place.
Leaning on an old experienced head could prevent a 2014-style collapse at Anfield. Right now, the club aren’t full of winners, so Milner’s wise comments should be heeded up and down the red half of Merseyside.
