James Milner has described Liverpool’s performance at Stoke City as evidence of their adaptability and believes there will be no complaints should Brendan Rodgers’ team continue to grind out victories this season.
Liverpool’s opening win at the Britannia Stadium was notable not only for Philippe Coutinho’s magnificent winner but a resolute defensive display that contrasted with the shambolic 6-1 defeat at the same venue in May. Rodgers said he had focused on improving defensive organisation and Milner admits the team have to “battle” for results while integrating new additions.
The former Manchester City midfielder, one of four summer signings to start against Stoke, insists Liverpool have the quality to beat any opposition and that will develop as the season progresses.
“It is always about the results,” explained Milner, who was announced as the new vice-captain by Rodgers on the eve of the season. “If we played rubbish every game of the season and won every one of them, then everybody would be happy with that. It takes time for players to gel and there has been a lot of new arrivals, not just on the pitch but in the coaching staff, too. There is a lot of quality there, a lot of younger guys, so there are going to be games when we have ups and downs but that is football. It is going to be like that all season.
“Ultimately, it is about getting that win whether it is a game where we can move the ball about or whether it is a game where it is a battle and we have to grind it out. You have to assess the situation and be able to adapt and play in different formations against different sides. It is a top team that can adapt and win games when things maybe aren’t playing to your strengths.”
Milner’s previous team were on the receiving end of a spectacular Coutinho goal last season and the England international believes the Brazilian has set the tone for a commanding individual campaign. “I think he is going to keep improving all the time. I saw him do that a few times last year, so it was nice to have him do that while I was on the field and on his side. He has got that quality and we know we have quality all over the field.
“It was pleasing to keep a clean sheet, we looked really solid and as a team we did a good job. There are going to be games throughout the season where maybe you don’t play as well as you want. You can’t always play free-flowing football, sometimes it is a battle and you need that bit of brilliance. The pleasing thing is we were solid, kept a clean sheet and Stoke didn’t really cause us too much problems with balls into the box. We kept a good line.”
