21 May 2018 16:38:48
Question for Tris.
In reference to motivation and second winds.
Re: Milner.
As a player, we all know when we have come off the pitch, whether or not we have worked hard.
Milner must know he has, especially in champions league games, I believe he was "randomly" drug tested after the Roma game as he covered twice the distant of any other player. I believe he's doing this to 1. Keep his place in the team and 2. Most importantly, to try and win the gold at the end of the rainbow, in what is realistically his last chance.

So my question is in two parts, once this wave of champions league football the players are riding, ( particularly Milner ) comes to an end, how do you get yourself back to that gut busting, heart wrenching work rate, away to Cardiff at the season opener?!
The second part, once the wave is over and we are 3/ 4 games in to the season, technically not "cup finals", could you see Milner returning to how he used to play under Rodgers in CM?

Thanks.

{Ed001's Note - no, I don't think it is so much that he is working harder than usual, that is what he has always done, the problem was that he did not have the right system for him to perform to his best before. Klopp has it set up to suit him and it is making him play better. The better he performs, the better he feels mentally, so the more he works. He looks like a player at the peak of his form physically and mentally and loving life.}

1.) 21 May 2018
21 May 2018 18:18:34
How do you keep yourself at that peak, mentally, when there’s nothing to play for ( basically the first 3 months of a new season ) ? I think things comes your way when you work hard for them on the pitch, and to me right now Milner is our best cm, even if they’re all fit. I’d like him to stay at this peak.

2.) 21 May 2018
21 May 2018 18:29:56
Work ethic and professionalism that's how. Guys like Milner and Bobby might have an off day but you can never say they don't give it their all no matter what the competetion is.

3.) 21 May 2018
21 May 2018 18:52:37
I think Milner has been our best player throughout the champions league, so consistent and professional. He's arguably playing as good as he ever has right now and after a year at left back has really shown his worth this season.

4.) 21 May 2018
21 May 2018 18:59:20
The only motivation I know that could possibly keep you mentally involved in the first 3-4 months of the year, is the knowledge that your (and the team's) performance during that time is the foundation and basis of what will happen for the remainder of the year. That first quarter or third of the year performance dictates where you end up in the Cup competitions, European competition and even the EPL, later in the year. I know most of us function on an immediate reward basis, where we look for an immediate reward for any type of activity, but I guess professionalism demands that you know how "the football season" system works and how it's all about a season long effort, at a consistently high peak level.

5.) 21 May 2018
21 May 2018 19:22:29
Milner is another example of Klopp added value.

Klopp has done that with quite a number of our side

I reckon Klopp has got 10 to 20 per cent out of the players we have

The bonus has been that the majority of our transfers have worked. No doubt there has been plenty of groundwork done plus a bit of luck plus the work Klopp and his staff have done when the new players have arrived

Look at how Klopp transformed the Ox

Look at our Trent being encouraged and backed after slip ups

Look at Andy Robertson. He will run through brick walls for the team

Bobby up top. He is one of the very best right now. Pundits are only now slowly realising how special he is.

Mane is electric and when his mate Keita arrived we could get nuclear fusion!

The we have Mo. Just keep playing smiling and scoring. Brilliant. One season wonder? No chance. Mo is the real deal. He will be worth more than Neymar. blow that . he is priceless. Not for sale Madrid. Go buy Hazard or Kane or Lewandowski.

Milner Henderson VVD all improved by Klopp

Heavy metal football was promised and it has been delivered and the best thing about it all is this is just the beginning.

It’s great to see the team play and give it a go

Kiev is looming and Madrid might be tough but all I want is for us to play our way and give it to them like we gave it to Citeh.

Klopp deserves a winner’s medal for what he has created with this side.

The boys will do it for the boss for themselves and for us all.

6.) 21 May 2018
21 May 2018 19:25:34
Great answer Ar.

7.) 21 May 2018
21 May 2018 19:49:31
As soon as the season begins, ALL games are important. There are NO throw-away games or "nothing to play for" games during the first 3/ 4 months of the season. Why? Cos everything you do during that time, is to prepare you for where you are at the business end of the season. This is what is happening to Milner. He has always been a machine physically BUT was not thriving in the midfield system we were playing in at the start as it was a shambles. Now, Klopp as Ed said, has found a system where Milner can thrive and he is getting it done. I hope all his and all our efforts will be crowned will success come Sat cos BOY, does Milner, Hendo, Lovren and of course Klopp, deserve it for all their years of service to our great club, regardless of their qualities and flaws.

8.) 21 May 2018
21 May 2018 19:56:24
Excellent point Benny- I've been so critical of Milner all season but the last few months he has been excellent. On top of klopp’s system suiting him, I also think it’s down to his decision making. For lack of a better explanation, imo his decision making has just been better across the pitch in almost every part of his game. He doesn’t leave gaps the way he used to and he doesn’t seem to run at players he can’t beat anymore- his passing is more assured and his positioning has been excellent. I’ve never criticized his heart- just his headless chicken approach. I see very little of that these days so I’m not at all worried about him in the season opener or season ending games. If he keeps that concentration- we’ve got ourselves a great passionate player and I’ve never been happier to be wrong about a player in my life.

9.) 21 May 2018
21 May 2018 22:21:06
It could be that he was just a bit rusty in his favoured position. A good run in the team can do wonders for your confidence and output.

10.) 21 May 2018
21 May 2018 22:36:44
It is incredible that 2 years ago, we were all screaming for him to not play in CM.