Endearingly unchanging James Milner remains key to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool

There has always been something reassuringly predictable about James Milner. Even the announcement about his future felt less a case of news than a confirmation of what most expected. It would have been more dramatic if Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane had declared they had agreed a new contract at Liverpool. Instead, to no great surprise, Milner put pen to paper on a one-season deal. It granted Jurgen Klopp his wish, the Yorkshireman taking the same attitude, fitness levels and haircut into a 21st consecutive Premier League season.

Milner completed a clean sweep of trophies at Anfield with the Carabao and FA Cups. He may yet extend his own unofficial record as the oldest man to win the bleep test. Milner turns 37 in January and, if his longevity and adaptability feel ever more remarkable, his unchanging Milnerness makes it seem entirely natural that a footballer who has played against David Seaman is still wanted for a team who are famous for their high-intensity running.

If there is a temptation to see him as part middle-distance athlete, part role model, Klopp made the point Milner remains a high-grade footballer. “A lot is often made of James’ leadership skills and his influence in the dressing room, and of course that’s correct and justified, but nobody should overlook his quality on the pitch, where he continues to perform to a level that meant we simply couldn’t afford to lose him,” he said.

He has argued Milner can play until he is 40; he has long been clear he wanted to keep him for at least an eighth season at Anfield. Milner may have taken a little persuading, especially with the suspicion Liverpool will sign another midfielder. “The discussions we had around extending his contract were centred on: what kind of