Liverpool midfielder James Milner believes the club’s 10-day break will help “refresh” the squad ahead of their Premier League title run-in.
The Reds don’t play again until next week where they will face Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
A big few months for Liverpool: five things you need to know…
- Liverpool haven’t won the Premier League title in 29 years.
- The Reds are currently second in the Premier League on goal difference behind Manchester City.
- However, they have a game in hand which is against Manchester United on 24th February.
- They face Bayern Munich in the Champions League round-of-16 a week this Tuesday, with the first leg taking place at Anfield.
- They have a 10-day gap between their 3-0 victory over Bournemouth and the Bayern clash.
Reds midfielder Milner spoke with reporters about the timely break for the squad. The Merseyside club beat Bournemouth 3-0 on Saturday and will now look to prepare across the next week to play against Bundesliga and European giants Bayern Munich.
And Milner, who reached the Champions League final with Jurgen Klopp’s side last season, believes the break will be refreshing for the squad and allow for any players with injuries to prepare for a return without the constraints of a busy playing schedule.
Milner said: “I think [it will] for everyone. We are having one of those runs in the season where we have got little niggles, little injuries, illnesses and disruption to the team a couple of days before, it has been the last few games really.
“People say it’s disappointing the draws we have had – yes, it is, we would like to win – but all in all, hopefully at the end of the season we can look back and say they are good draws with the circumstances.
“Being hard to beat, no matter what the circumstances, that comes down to the team spirit within the squad, grafting through little knocks and illnesses and giving your all for the cause.
“The boys have been brilliant. Hopefully, we can rest up and get everyone back fit. It was good to see Trent back, Hendo was on the bench if needed.
“That’s good and hopefully a few more can come back in the next 10 days, refresh and go again.”
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Enjoying his football
Milner went on to discuss how he is enjoying his football at the minute, with Liverpool still competing in the two biggest competitions available to them at the start of the campaign.
The Reds swept past the Cherries thanks to goals from Sadio Mane, Georginio Wijnaldum and Mohamed Salah and momentarily returned to the top of the Premier League until Manchester City destroyed Chelsea 6-0 on Sunday.
Milner believes the great home support on Saturday helped the side through a potentially tricky fixture, allowing them to stay in control throughout the 90 minutes.
He said: “It was great and the crowd had a big part in that, the tempo they set and the atmosphere around the ground. That obviously gave the boys a lift.
“I thought we started pretty slow and they got behind us straight away and got us going really. We got into the game and got the goals. Once we scored the goal, we reacted better than we have done in recent games.
“We kept on the front foot – and that’s important – instead of taking our foot off the gas or trying to defend what you have got. Go again and keep playing the way we do as that’s what got us to where we are.
“How we want to play is front foot, that’s the way we know how to play and what we are good at.”
The post Milner: Extended break will help “refresh” Liverpool ahead of title run-in appeared first on Squawka News.
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