Jurgen Klopp has praised James Milner for his decision to retire from international football with England in a bid to extend his club career.
Milner made the decision to step away from Three Lions duties following discussions with then-manager Sam Allardyce in 2016, one season after arriving at Anfield.
Despite turning 30 during his first campaign with Liverpool, Milner has become a key component of Klopp's midfield and played a crucial role in helping lift the Champions League in June.
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When asked about the former Leeds United man's decision to retire after picking up 61 caps, Klopp laughed: "You realise that now, you miss him!"
Milner, Klopp revealed, was handed time off along with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Adam Lallana - who were not selected for England - during the recent Euro 2020 qualifying fixtures.
"The boys not involved on international duty have a week away from Melwood," the manager added.
"But they have a proper training plan, but not football work. They have to write every day when they have a session. It makes no sense to have a session with three players and five coaches!
"That is the perfect situation for a footballer, so Milly was very smart when he made that decision."
When asked if he had noticed a difference in Milner since quitting international football, Klopp said: "100%. Maybe Milly is one of those few players where it would not have bothered him too much if he carried on playing. But I think it’s smart at that age.
"It was a conscious decision to think of what do I have to do. He has made a lot of smart decisions in his life and that was just another one. For England everything is OK, and for him and us, it’s all good."
