Liverpool have to keep hold of James Milner after performance against Leicester City

The clock was ticking down with just seconds left on the board. Liverpool were awarded a late penalty against Leicester City and with Mohamed Salah off the pitch, James Milner waited for VAR to complete its check.

Sadio Mane might have done a bit of theatrics, but it was still a penalty. The pressure was immense on the Englishman but he dispatched the spot-kick and celebrated like he was unfazed.

Liverpool had conjured a win against one of the most impressive sides in the league. Milner was involved in the first goal of the game, and the Englishman had nerves of steel to ensure we registered our eight Premier League win on the spin.

The 33-year-old was asked about the incredible moment and said he wanted to concentrate before taking the shot (h/t LiverpoolFC.com):

“Tough obviously, I was just trying to stay calm in that situation and concentrate on what I was going to do.”

It isn’t easy to stay calm in such a tough situation but Milner just proved he quality he possesses.

A leader who Liverpool cannot lose

The Englishman isn’t the quickest player in the team but he does his job perfectly, be it in the midfield or at left-back.

Milner was great in our Champions League run as he registered several assists too. The 33-year-old is willing to put in a shift anywhere, and we need to have these players in the team.

The former Leeds United man isn’t flashy on the pitch, he won’t score 20+ goals per season from the midfield and neither is he a style icon. However, he is possibly the most level-headed player we have in the team, and his experience can only make us better in the coming years.

Milner is one of the players who keep the team ticking when things aren’t going right. He is a no-nonsense player who lets his football do the talking, and we need such old heads alongside the array of stars in the team.

The 33-year-old was one of the first players who tried to defuse the Sadio Mane-Mohamed Salah situation at Burnley and even had a funny take on it.

That is what experience does to a player, you try to ensure nothing goes out of control. Milner is out of a contract in the summer, however, there is no reason to let him leave.

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The Reds have talented players but having an old horse in the stable keeps things ticking along.