Featured Image Credit: LFC
Topics: James Milner, Liverpool, Premier League
Ryan Sidle
James Milner might be 36-years-old but the Liverpool midfielder is well known for beating his younger teammates in the lactate test in pre season.
Milner is heading towards his 21st season in the Premier League, having recently signed a one year extension for Jurgen Klopp's team, after turning down Newcastle United and Aston Villa.
He might not play quite as often as he used to but the versatile star still made 39 appearances across all competitions in the previous campaign for Klopp, as the team came close to an unprecedented quadruple.
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His age means it's unlikely that Milner will get too much game time in the upcoming season but then it's not really to do with his ability to keep going.
The former Leeds United player, who became the league's youngest ever scorer for the Yorkshire club, is still beating his teammates when it comes to tests of fitness.
He famously beats everyone else in Liverpool's pre season lactate tests, which takes the lactic acid level of players after they've run an increasing distance, with players with levels too high being knocked out a long the way.
"There are 3 certainties in life death,taxes and milner finishing first in a lactate test," one fan commented back in 2019.
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"Seriously Joe what's the point in even trying! Milly is just a machine!" another added.
Another was making plans for Milner retiring, although not for a while yet, adding, "When Milner steps down from the 1st team when he’s 48 he’d make an ideal coach, such a model professional."
Pointing out his longevity and consistency, another said, "I remember Milner doing the same last preseason. Still going strong at this age."
And the inevitability of the result led a fourth to comment, "We all knew the results before watching the video. Beast of a Milly."
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Trent Alexander-Arnold actually revealed that former Reds' midfielder Kevin Stewart, who now plays for Blackpool Town, actually came closest to Milner.
"We are a fit team, there are a lot of players who have great engines – Hendo, Gini, Robbo. But Milly, I don’t think I’ll ever see anyone as fit as him," Trent told Goal.
“I remember a few years ago Kev Stewart would give him a run for his money in pre-season. But considering his age and how long he’s played for, to still be the fittest player in arguably the fittest team in the world, and by some margin, that takes some doing."
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Last year the former Manchester City star amazed fans by posting his running stats from pre season, and it was easy to see why.
The three-time Premier League winner clocked in a 5.5 mile run in just under 35 minutes, which is no mean feat.
Milner puts up impressive numbers regardless, but at 36-years-old they're utterly incredible...