OPINION
Liverpool midfielder James Milner could be in line to feature for the club against Huddersfield Town on Saturday, according to the Mirror.
The veteran injured his hamstring in the club’s draw with Manchester City earlier this month and was initially expected to be out until November.
However it is understood that the former England international has made a remarkable recovery and Jurgen Klopp must now weigh up whether to throw him in against the Terriers.
Let’s make it easy for him, shall we? There is no possible reason for the Liverpool boss to include Milner in his starting line up on Saturday. Yes the 32-year-old has enjoyed a wonderful start to the season, but it’s simply too soon to be rushing him back into the first team picture after a hamstring injury.
The decision becomes even simpler when you consider that the German has Xherdan Shaqiri fit and ready to deputise for Milner.
The Switzerland international has impressed in glimpses this season, and sooner or later he must be given a consistent run of games if he is to fulfil his potential with the club.
The former Stoke City man, on a reported £90,000-per-week at Anfield [Source: Spotrac], is one of the most creative players in the Reds squad, and would be the perfect man to pair with Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum against David Wagner’s side.
Those two are talented and hard working players, but they simply do not possess the creativity that Shaqiri has in spades. With Milner’s powerful runs from the team (hopefully) missing against Huddersfield, it’s Shaqiri who should get the call to arms in his place.
It’s about time for Klopp to stick the Swiss in from the start and Milner’s injury – remarkable recovery or not – is the perfect scenario to precipitate the start of Shaqiri’s run of games.
