Skip to content

Jurgen Klopp: James Milner is the complete footballer, and Liverpool know how to play

James Milner says Saturday's win over Aston Villa was a 'big performance'
Image: James Milner is the 'complete player', according to new Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp

Jurgen Klopp insists there is no need to "sprinkle magic dust" on Liverpool, and says James Milner is the "complete footballer".

The former Borussia Dortmund boss made his Premier League bow with a solid goalless draw for his injury-depleted side at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

Klopp is renowned for expecting a high work rate from his players and his demands were met at White Hart Lane, with his side becoming the first team to outrun Tottenham this season.

Jurgen Klopp, manager of Liverpool instructs his players during the Premier League match at Tottenham
Image: Klopp speaks to his players during the goalless draw at Spurs

"We don't have to sprinkle magical dust on them: 'and now you can play football'. They know how to play. We just have to create a situation where it is possible to do this," Klopp said.

"I am not sure how many games you saw like this from Adam Lallana? I know him from Southampton and he can do 20-30 percent more.

The Klopp effect
The Klopp effect

Statistics show early evidence of Jurgen Klopp's impact on Liverpool's style of play.

"Philippe Coutinho? Do you not think he can play better football than today? Of course, he can.

"Lucas? You don't think he can play balls on the right and left side? Of course he can. Emre Can? Learning between running and passing? He can learn.

Also See:

Liverpool covered more ground and ran more sprints in their first game under Jurgen Klopp than under Brendan Rodgers' final 8 games
Image: Liverpool covered more ground and ran more sprints in their first game under Klopp than under Brendan Rodgers' final eight games

"Milner? The complete football player, the perfect professional. [You think] I should teach them technical aspects? They know. We have to altogether help them show it," he added.

Klopp will be hoping to pick up his first win as a Liverpool manager on Thursday when they host Russian side Rubin Kazan in the Europa League. 

Around Sky