Milner pleads for time for Klopp, praises Rodgers

Matt Stead

James Milner says “it will take time” for Jurgen Klopp to succeed at Liverpool, while the midfielder has praised “top manager” Brendan Rodgers.

Milner started in midfield in Klopp’s first game as Liverpool battled to a 0-0 draw with Spurs at White Hart Lane.

The German had less than week to prepare for the match due to internationals, but Milner says the players already know what he will demand as manager.

“He is how he seems to you guys. It is not an act – he is a good guy and loves the game of football and enjoys what he does and want us to enjoy it,” Milner said.

“He asks for 100%. We will all have bad days, everyone knows that, but as long as you give him 100% and play high intensity and concentrate and give him everything.

“Every manager has their own style and where players should be in certain situations. He obviously has got a great record but we are disappointed for Brendan as I feel he is a top manager. I have worked with a lot of managers – I think this is my 17th club manager – I have had a lot of experiences.

“Brendan was right up there with the best and I am disappointed for him but football changes, we move on and we wish him all the best. We have a fantastic manager with a great record and it is great for English football.

“I have had quiet managers, animated managers foreign, English, British, different styles. I have seen a lot – young and old.

“You try and learn from each one and they all have strengths and weaknesses. I’ve been blessed to work with a lot of top managers and now here is another one.”

Liverpool started positively against Spurs and could have had the lead through Divock Origi within 10 minutes, but the players later tired due to the increase in physical demand, and should be happy with a point on reflection.

Milner points to a lack of sufficient preparation under their new manager, as well as a squad depleted through injuries, as evidence to a result which should be seen as positive.

“I think it is a good start. A change of manager is never easy,” he said.

“We had a few injuries, to say the least, as you cannot even get into our treatment room at the moment.

“Without the ball we were very good, we played a high tempo. Maybe we tried to force it forwards a bit early and we can improve with the ball, but Rome wasn’t built in a day. It is a tough place to come so to get a positive result is a good start.

“So much has gone on in these few days. It has been tough for the manager, a whirlwind coming into English football and there is the expectation, pressure on him and the team.

“He is coming to try and get his ideas over and it will take time. He has said he can only feed us so much as he cannot change everything.

“It will take a few months to see exactly what he wants but it is a positive start, although a few injuries have come which is really disappointing. But you saw that in the team and on the bench, there is still a lot of quality.”