27 Sept 2016

Redknapp: £120k-a-week Liverpool star is a 'manager's dream' and 'unsung hero' like title-winning legend

Liverpool utility man James Milner put in another solid performance at left-back over the weekend, and ex-Red Jamie Redknapp believes that Milner now compares favourably to one of the club's legends of the 1980s.

In his Monday column for the Daily Mail, Redknapp raved:

"James Milner is a manager's dream. He's been a winger, a solid central midfielder and is now impressing at left back. He reminds me of Steve Nicol...who was such an unsung hero in our squad".

In my view, this is a very good comparison. Like Milner, Nicol excelled in several roles for Liverpool, most notably at right-back in Kenny Dalglish's all-conquering team of the late '80s.

I vividly remember that team, and Nicol was a fantastic player, and went on to win the 1989 'Player of the Year' award, an achievement that's basically unheard of for a full-back. Indeed, Nicol is the only defender in the last 32 years to win that accolade.

Of course, a big difference between Nicol and Milner is that Nicol was a dedicated full-back, and that's the role he played most often during his Liverpool career.

The other big difference is success. Nicol won five league titles, three FA Cups, and the European Cup during his time at Anfield, and unfortunately for Milner, he is unlikely to come anywhere near that trophy haul (!)

One of my favourite Liverpool goals (with Nicol crucially involved in the build-up).


* Reportedly on £120k-a-week.


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