It seems pretty clear that Jurgen Klopp needed to do *something* after Alberto Moreno’s performance against Arsenal.
It’s not every week that an opponent will miss a penalty and give you the opportunity to score four goals away from home, so a greater defensive solidity for the trip to Burnley seemed essential to even the most optimistic Reds fan.
The only issue facing Klopp was the lack of another natural left-back. Emre Can was used there on occasion last season, while another past option – Jon Flanagan – will be at the game but in the Burnley camp, having joined Sean Dyche’s team on loan.
There is a solution, or at least the manager thinks he’s found one: utility man James Milner.
The former England international – who retired from Three Lions duty earlier in the summer – has played in most other positions, so why not at left-back?
The move has been met with scepticism
You see LFC fans on here talking about being 'really happy' with Milner at left-back. It's just a bit clueless.
— Carl Kinsella (@TVsCarlKinsella) August 20, 2016
Muffled embarrassment
There's eleven days left in the transfer window and Liverpool are still starting with Mignolet and having to play Milner at full back.
— Chris No (@chrs00) August 20, 2016
And acknowledgement that sure, it’s a thing, but why?
James Milner. Left back.
— Mike L. Goodman (@TheM_L_G) August 20, 2016
But plenty of Liverpool supporters do seem genuinely pleased with the decision to put literally anyone but Moreno Milner there.
James Milner is not a left back but it's surely better than Moreno. The fella could do you a shift if he were dying.
— Tom (@tomrowelfc) August 20, 2016
Can and Matip obviously still not 100% so just the two changes. Milner for Moreno is an improvement and STUDGE.
— Tom Holmes (@TomHolmes19) August 20, 2016
Love that Milner starts, was proper convinced he wouldn't have dropped Moreno after the PR defending him this week. Still not buying a LB
— Adam (@LFCAdam88_18_5) August 20, 2016
There’s some recognition that Liverpool aren’t in an ideal situation, however, and we sense people won’t be happy if this is still Klopp’s plan of action after the close of the transfer window.
Not sure how Milner will improve on Moreno either. Moreno has 2 flaws. 1) gets beaten easily 1 v 1 when stood up.
— reverse_ball (@reverse_ball) August 20, 2016
Klopp starting Milner tells you exactly what he thinks about Moreno, we'll surely get a LB in this window if one fits the criteria
— Dinesh Hardayal (@DHardayal) August 20, 2016
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