LIVERPOOL MANAGER JURGEN Klopp has labelled James Milner a “machine” after reflecting on his first game in charge of the club.
The Reds put in an industrious display as they drew 0-0 with Tottenham on Saturday but lacked craft in the final third, Daniel Sturridge and a host of first team players out injured.
Klopp acknowledged his side were not at their best put singled out Milner for praise.
“Of course we should play better football. Not because I say but because we can,” he said.
“I’m not sure how many games you saw like this from Adam Lallana? What do you think? I have known of him since he was at Southampton and knew he can do 20 to 30 per cent more.
“Philippe Coutinho? Do you not think he can play better football than that? Of course, he can.
“Lucas? You don’t think he can play balls on the right and left? Of course he can.
“Emre Can? Learning between running and passing. He can learn.
“James Milner? The complete football player. The perfect professional. A machine.”
Klopp also rejected the suggestion that his squad are under pressure to perform following his arrival, but admits he wants them to embrace his change in style.
He added: “Everything is there. We just have to create a situation where it’s possible to do these things. There’s pressure but not the biggest pressure, these guys are running for their life.
“When we have the ball the other team has to run. The most important thing is for the players to be prepared to be a little bit wild.
“We are only three days together and you can see that something changed. We didn’t want to do it too complicated because it is not physics, it is football.”
