Liverpool first team coach Pep Lijnders says that manager Jurgen Klopp opted to start James Milner at left back this season as he feels he is the best player to win the ball back from opponents in one on one duels.
After Alberto Moreno’s troubles on the opening day of the season against Arsenal, Klopp has opted to play Milner in every league game at left back since, and Lijnders says that he provides vital defensive cover. He told Voetbal International:
“The best players of the team need to get most of the ball, so that is our starting point. So we play James Milner, originally a winger, now at left back. Because we think that he is the best in one-on-ones for that position.”
Lijnders goes on to explain that the defensive attributes of the likes of Milner, Adam Lallana and Georginio Wijnaldum allow the more creative players to play with freedom. The other players provide a “defensive block” which enables Philippe Coutinho especially to be dominant on the ball and dictate how the game plays out. A type of “modern total football” is how Lijnders describes it with every playing defending as well as being involved in attacking moves.
