Stuart Pearce boldly claimed that Liverpool midfielder James Milner was the best pound-for-pound footballer that the Premier League had ever produced.
The 56-year-old shared that he believes the 32-year-old had previously been underrated by many due to not being the best footballer by a million miles but when you take everything into account he deserves lots of praise.
Pearce shared that Milner was ridiculously low maintenance in his opinion as he couldn’t remember ever seeing a negative story in the newspaper about him.
“Milner’s a player that’s been so underrated,” said the retired footballer while on talkSPORT on Saturday, as quoted by the broadcaster’s website.
“There’s a saying in boxing on who is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
“I think Milner is the best pound-for-pound footballer in the Premier League potentially there has been.
“I don’t think he’s been the best footballer by a million miles but you should throw everything into the mix like professionalism.
“He’s 32-years-old now and he’s ridiculously low maintenance and I’ve never seen one detrimental story about Milner in the papers.
“He’s probably run more than any player that’s taken to the pitch over those last 16 years, he’s played over 130 games at all age groups for the England national team.
“At one stage Manchester City thought he was surplus to requirements and he went to Liverpool. Then all of a sudden he plays a season at left-back for Liverpool and he’s fantastic there!
“You just can’t keep him down. He will not go under.”
OPINION
Pearce certainly makes a fantastic case for why Milner is the best pound-for-pound footballer to ever grace the Premier League and it’s hard to argue with given his current form. The experienced central midfielder had a phenomenal 2017/18 campaign and has started the current season in tip-top form. Milner has featured in all of the Reds’ outing so far this season and has already racked up a goal as while as two assists due to his efforts. If the 32-year-old continues playing like this then it might be his best season ever as he simply has made himself undroppable at Anfield at the moment. Jurgen Klopp will be hoping that Milner’s red hot form continues on Tuesday when his side face Paris St-Germain in the Champions League as on paper that will be a tough game for the Reds. Liverpool certainly have the quality to defeat PSG but they need to have all their stars performing at their very best and that includes Milner.
