Topics: Liverpool, James Milner, Harvey Elliott
Liverpool legend Steve Nicol has suggested two midfielders are partly responsible for the Reds’ poor start to the Premier League season.
The first name he brought up in an interview with ESPN FC will come as no surprise to Liverpool fans – James Milner.
Nicol claims Liverpool only gave Milner a “contract basically to be able to give other players a rest and come on for half an hour.
“That’s what James Milner signed a new contract for and that’s why they asked him to do it.”
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He was not handed a deal to “play in your biggest game of the season.”
Frustratingly from the perspective of some Liverpool fans, Milner has already made 7 Liverpool appearances across the Premier League and Champions League this term.
His own poor start to the season may have forced Liverpool’s hand as they were tempted into luring Arthur Melo to Merseyside on deadline day.
The second midfielder Nicol has suggested has also contributed to the club's failures might surprise a few.
Young Harvey Elliott has been one of the Reds’ few shining lights this season, but Nicol believes there is too much pressure on the “rookie” to deliver for them.
Nicol asserted “this guy [Elliott] is learning his trade and so when you’ve got two of your midfielders in the position they’re in, one with no experience and one with too much experience [Milner], then the engine room is going to be in trouble.”
Fortunately for Liverpool fans, the concerns they have over their midfield could soon ease.
Thiago Alcantara returned on Wednesday during Liverpool’s 4-1 defeat against Napoli to play the final half an hour.
On a despairing night for Jürgen Klopp, Thiago’s return offers him a glimmer of hope moving forward.
But early season performances would suggest the Reds will continue to struggle if they continue to start Elliott and Milner together in midfield.
