Milner the all-rounder
Milner is once again the go-to guy - at left back
When Alberto Moreno became a liability and early efforts to find a replacement proved futile, Liverpool turned to the only other solution.
James Milner, naturally.
At the time, Liverpool fans were in disbelief.
Even for such a versatile player, Milner at left back seemed like an awkward choice.
Playing a right-footer in such a position was always going to be a risk.
And turning to a boring 30-year-old English midfielder who had just retired from international football seemed like a desperate move.
And, to begin with, Milner wasn't keen on manager Juergen Klopp's idea.
He had played as a right back for Manchester City and hated it.
One month on, Liverpool are rolling along nicely and Milner passed the test in his new role, where he has consistently scored high marks.
Klopp's gamble is now looking like a stroke of genius.
Since missing the Reds' opening match at Arsenal because of a heel injury, the midfielder has been first-choice left back in every Premier League game.
If he starts at the Liberty Stadium against Swansea today, it will be his sixth successive Premiership game as Liverpool's "emergency left back".
His virtuoso performances are reflected in the impressive statistics: Five Premiership appearances, three goals, one assist.
When Liverpool dismantled Hull City 5-1 last Saturday, Milner scored twice from the spot, whipped in 10 crosses from the left, and made four successful dribbles (one more than Roberto Firmino).
MAN OF THE MATCH
His sterling display prompted Southampton legend and Sky Sports pundit Matt Le Tissier to pick Milner as his Man of the Match.
The Milner fan base is growing fast.
Sky Sports pundits Tony Cottee and Tony Cascarino have named Milner in their Premier League Team of the Season (so far).
Former Leicester City midfielder Robbie Savage has singled him out as one of the best left backs in the Premier League.
Those who have followed his career closely would not have been surprised that Milner became an instant remedy over a tactical dilemma.
When he joined Manchester City from Aston Villa for £26 million ($46.1m) six years ago, it looked as if he was set to become one of the top central midfielders of his generation.
He had caught the eye during his final season at Villa Park, and at just 24, he had age on his side.
But at City, he seldom featured in his preferred central midfield role and instead, he developed into a utility player who often found himself on the fringes of the starting 11.
Despite winning two Premier League titles, he was never happy, filling in as a left winger, right winger, right back and even striker.
Until Manuel Pellegrini - his last manager at Man City - said so, no one would have thought that Milner's contributions were appreciated.
The Chilean said in an interview with The Guardian last year: "I'm Milner's No. 1 fan. Find me a more complete English player.
"There are players who're better technically, yes. Quicker players, yes. Players who head better, yes.
"But show me one who does all the things Milner does well. There isn't one."
When Milner left for Liverpool on a free transfer last year, he spoke of having to make a "difficult" decision to leave a "great" club.
The promise of a return to his favourite role was a huge factor.
CENTRAL ROLE
He said: "I want to play football and play more centrally if I can - and that's where the manager said he sees me playing."
Alas, that manager, Brendan Rodgers, didn't last very long.
By October, Klopp had come in, and once more Milner became the victim of his own versatility.
But even he would have been surprised by the plaudits he has received over the past six weeks.
Milner, the jack of all trades, would never have thought that he could finally be the master at left back.
"I’m Milner’s No. 1 fan. Find me a more complete English player... Show me one who does all the things he does well."
- Ex-Man City manager Manuel Pellegrini, on his former player James Milner
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