As Liverpool were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid after a 1-0 defeat, James Milner managed to break a record set by David Beckham in 2013.
Milner managed to become the oldest English player to ever start in the tournament’s history since the Manchester United legend did so for Paris Saint-Germain a decade ago.
James Milner is often lauded for his incredible longevity, considering he burst onto the scene for Leeds United as a mere teenager.
DETAILS BEHIND HOW JAMES MILNER BROKE THE DAVID BECKHAM RECORD VS REAL MADRID
The ‘top-class’ £60,000-a-week man remains Mr. Reliable wherever he goes and considering his decline has been commented on by Michael Owen, Didi Hamann and Darren Bent, it is commendable that Jurgen Klopp still deems him ready to start in such battles.
Opta Joe revealed that after James Milner started for Liverpool against Real Madrid at 37 years and 70 days, he became the oldest Englishman to start in the Champions League since David Beckham at 37 years and 335 days in 2013.
THE LIVERPOOL MIDFIELDER HAS HAD ONE HELL OF A CAREER
Sure, the three-time Premier League winner may not be the first name on the team sheet for the Reds and has never particularly been a glamorous player.
But the fact that despite being in his late 30s, the fact that James Milner, much like David Beckham has started in a Champions League tie as huge as against Real Madrid for Liverpool sums his greatness up.
The ageing midfielder may not be the energetic presence he once was but not a single soul can deny the outstanding career he has had.
Journalist baffled by one decision Jurgen Klopp made in second-half v Real Madrid
It’s fair to say that Jurgen Klopp’s decision to sub off Darwin Nunez in the second-half of action against Real Madrid was far from being a popular one judging by the online reaction.
The Echo’s Paul Gorst echoed much of the sentiment on social media, expressing his bafflement at the German’s decision-making in that regard.
Could understand subbing Jota, he was well off it tonight but the Nunez swap is baffling. https://t.co/pgr5jnMAVt
— Paul Gorst (@ptgorst) March 15, 2023
Despite testing Thibaut Courtois with a number of tame efforts in the opening half of action, the visitors emerged in the second with apparently little in the way of willingness to leave their mark in the Spanish capital.
Still, it’s a repeat of a similar call against Bournemouth at the weekend as a misfiring Mo Salah was left on the turf whilst the Uruguayan, who looked the comparatively more threatening option up top, was hauled off the pitch.
Perhaps the German tactician already had it in mind that a win, let alone overturning the deficit, simply wasn’t on the cards for his outfit in the Champions League.
We’d like to think that wasn’t the case, of course, given our ability to conjure miracles out of thin air in Europe.
Admittedly, we’ve looked a little devoid of hope at the Bernabeu after the half-time break but we still can’t rule out a bit of late magic if someone manages to bundle in an effort and change the mood around in the Spanish capital.