Pundit: Unsung Liverpool FC hero could win PFA award

Liverpool FC manager Jurgen Klopp Photo: New Balance

Garth Crooks believes that James Milner has already established himself as one of the contenders for the PFA player of the year award this season.

The 32-year-old has been earning huge amounts of praise for his solid performances for the Reds so far this season and he played a key role in helping them claim a 2-1 win at Tottenham on Saturday.

Milner has demonstrated his versatility at Anfield under Jurgen Klopp and he was in fine form once again as Liverpool FC continued their 100 per cent start to the season at Wembley.

The former Leeds United star can play in midfield, as a wing-back and as a full-back for the Reds.

And Crooks has been hugely impressed by what he has seen from the former England international so far this season in a Liverpool FC shirt.

Writing in his column for BBC Sport, Crooks said: “He’s been playing top-class football since he was 16 years old, so we shouldn’t be entirely surprised 16 years later when the player strolls through a game as though he is reading the Sunday Times.

“James Milner’s understanding of a game of football is second to none and already Milner is looking like my early candidate for Footballer of the Year.

“I strongly believe that accolade belongs to a member of the team that wins the title. So you can see where I’m going with this folks.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool FC are now preparing to switch their focus back to Champions League affairs and their home clash against Paris Saint-Germain in the group stage on Tuesday night.

The Reds ended up as runners-up in Europe’s elite club competition last term as they reached the final but lost to Real Madrid in Kiev back in May.

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