James Milner going strong in 19th Premier League season and Liverpool still lean on him

It is now three Premier League titles and counting since Graeme Souness insisted you will “never win anything with a team of James Milners”. There is also a Champions League winners’ medal in his collection and no sign that retirement is on the horizon.

He will turn 35 next week but there have been no questions over when James Milner will hang up his boots.

His return to St James’ Park, where Souness was his manager, was his first start in more than a month but he fits into Jurgen Klopp’s system seamlessly. It can be at full-back but in a midfield three is where he is most effective.

Newcastle were expecting to face one of their former players in Gini Wijnaldum but instead were given a different challenge in the shape of Milner.

“We wanted maturity on the pitch,” said Klopp. “You have to be lively, agressive and calm, all these kind of things. Gini played what feels like 70 games in a row so it is good we can make this kind of change.”

Milner’s return from a hamstring injury is timely, given Klopp’s injury problems in his squad. His versatility has made him important during his five-and-a-half years at Anfield.

Back in 2014 he was sat in a hospitality box at the Etihad Stadium, explaining to journalists that he had a genuine dilemma. Should he stay at Manchester City and be a bit-part player, happy to sit on the bench but pick up the trophies? Or would he like to be the main man, like he was at Aston Villa when he played every week in central midfield?

“That’s the big question isn’t it – are you better at Man City not quite playing every week or playing as many games as you’d like but still in four trophies, playing Champions League nights and challenging for the title every year or go to a team who are not as big but you are the star man?” he said.

When he made his decision the following year, he may not have envisaged what would follow. Klopp arrived four months later and Milner has been part of the journey to take the club back to the top of Europe and England.

He may not have been the “main man” but still an important part of a successful team, with the trophies continuing after his haul at City.

Newcastle would love a team of Milners. It is sixteen years since he was signed as an 18-year-old and these were the types of performances Sir Bobby Robson would have believed he was capable of eventually.

The maturity Klopp talked about came from his position sense, knowing when he should break forward and when to sit deeper than Jordan Henderson. It also allowed Curtis Jones to move further up the field.

He sat back when others went forward for corners, mopping up loose balls and setting up attacks.  And when he got on the ball he could pick his passes at the right time.

That is what happened when he floated a ball over to Trent Alexander-Arnold, sending him through on goal for an early chance as Klopp’s team looked to pick a way through the Newcastle defence.

“That’s a hat-trick,” he told the assistant referee when he took another elbow to the head from Federico Fernandez as he battled in midfield. Liverpool could not find a way through but Milner made sure they were never overrun in midfield as Newcastle scented an upset.

Wijnaldum came off the bench to play with Milner in the second half, rather than replace him. It is the Dutchman whose future looks uncertain with no agreement on a new contract. Milner has until 2022 at least, and he may last longer.