James Milner gave his Liverpool teammates a rallying cry ahead of their Bournemouth clash in the Premier League at the Anfield on Saturday.
The absence of Jordan Henderson has left the Liverpool side devoid of leadership. It has showed in their performance over the last few weeks. The Reds succumbed to 3 defeats in 4 matches until Liverpool managed to stage a comeback against Bournemouth after going down 1-0 early in the match.
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The win could have very well resulted in a draw had a returning James Milner not make a vital goal line clearance to ensure Liverpool held on to their lead. Milner, the captain of the day, clearly led by example and practiced what he had preached to his teammates ahead of the game.
James Milner gave his Liverpool teammates a rallying cry ahead of their Bournemouth clash
During the warm-up just before the Premier League encounter, Milner was seen addressing his teammates. The players were gathered in a circle and stretching on the turf while Milner could be heard telling them to be ready for ‘reactions straight away’.
Kneeling in front of Virgil van Dijk, Milner could be heard insisting:
‘As soon as we lose [the ball], there’s bodies round it and then we play out that area – everything we do [should be at the] highest tempo today. ‘It doesn’t matter who scores. They score, we score – we lift it again. Every kick off is a trigger for us.’
🗣 “Everything we do, highest tempo!”
Klopp’s Lieutenant on the pitch!
Liverpool may be out of sight in the league but James Milner isn’t about to let standards slip on his return the Premier League XI. pic.twitter.com/JhGX5mcmi3
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 7, 2020
This was Milner’s first match in over two months since his injury. Yet, the oldest member of the side played as if he was making his debut. The intensity never let up. He 2/2 tackles, completed 2/4 long passes, won 2/2 aerial duels, maintained 86% pass accuracy and even had a shot on target for good measure.
https://twitter.com/Squawka/status/1236299664137302019?s=20
Clearly Liverpool have missed his presence. With some tough games ahead of them, the return couldn’t have come at a better time for the Reds.
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