Pundit fears for James Milner and Liverpool teammate after what he’s seen
Frank McAvennie has claimed James Milner and Jordan Henderson should not be starting for Liverpool anymore.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former West Ham striker said Jurgen Klopp’s squad is “so thin” that he is forced to start players like Milner, 36, and Henderson, 32.
Milner started the Reds’ Champions League clash against Napoli on Wednesday (7 September).
He was subbed off for the final half an hour of the 4-1 defeat to the Italian side.
Speaking to ESPN (9 September), Liverpool legend Steve Nicol claimed the midfielder is partly responsible for the side’s poor start to the season.
He said Liverpool offered Milner a new contract to “give other players a rest and come on for half an hour”, not to play in their “biggest game of the season”.
McAvennie said Milner’s age is affecting his ability on the pitch.
“No disrespect to James Milner but it’s a young guys game,” he told Football Insider.
“He can come on but he can’t start games now. Him and [Jordan] Henderson, the young guys will run over them, especially in Europe.
“There’s a lot of talent coming through. Yeah I can understand bringing them on to try and tighten things up but my god you can’t start them.
“It looks like the squad is so thin and that’s what Klopp will be trying to sort out.“
Milner has started three games for the Anfield club across all competitions this season.
He has featured on the bench in the rest of the Reds’ matches.
In other news, an expert has swiped at Mohamed Salah after what he’s just seen at Liverpool.