A section of Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to express their frustration that James Milner is not in the starting XI to take on Southampton this Saturday afternoon.
The Reds take on the Saints in their sixth fixture of the season at Anfield, and have fielded a full-strength team that includes summer signing Xherdan Shaqiri, who has been handed his first start in the Premier League.
James Milner has been omitted from the line up, being replaced by Shaqiri – and Joel Matip has been handed a start in the place of Joe Gomez in the defence.
#LIVSOU team news; Firmino, Shaqiri and Matip replace Sturridge, Milner and Gomez. https://t.co/qVpOONsoDR
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 22, 2018
Many Liverpool fans have taken to the social media site to react to the news that James Milner is not starting, with some comments including “he has been on fire lately.”
Live 4 Liverpool has rounded up some of the best tweets below:
Small injury of Milner
— Madson (@Micha52966549) September 22, 2018
good changes by klopp need to rest milner
— Mikey (@BIGCOCKORIGI) September 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/Barryda15649340/status/1043487916155195392
dont forget he is 33 years old … he wants to take rest and there's a clash on Wednesday
— Mo Stafa 7th Oct ?? ? (@MosTafaLhawary) September 22, 2018
Don't really fancy wij and Hendo together. No creativity.
— Chi Ike (@chibix12) September 22, 2018
Why matip starting. And wheres lovren? And why henderson not milner.
— Izzul (@izzulzufayri) September 22, 2018
Great team, but Milner should be starting he has been on fire lately?
— Laura? (@MursAndSalah) September 22, 2018
Shaqiri in the CM role?
— Michael?? (@MichaelLFC01) September 22, 2018
good changes by klopp need to rest milner
— Mikey (@BIGCOCKORIGI) September 22, 2018
OPINION
The team news has had a mixed reaction with these Liverpool fans, especially the omission of James Milner. They are right to react in the way that they have – the fact that Shaqiri can be started instead of Milner has left them rather worried. Milner is one their best players, so it remains to be seen why he has been left out of the squad to face Southampton. Nevertheless, the Saints have not had the best form recently, surrendering their 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Brighton on Monday night – and this is a weakness that the supporters will hope Liverpool will capitalise on quickly. We will have to wait and see if Milner will be a great loss to them on Saturday – and whether Klopp’s decision to omit him will backfire on him. Either way, fans are thinking that he should be starting – so it will be interesting to see how they cope without him.
