BORING MILNER CAN GET 3 LIONS ROARING

profile on the pitch instead of self-obsessing off it. Now, ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League semi-final clash with Roma, there is a new question doing the rounds: Is Milner the most under-appreciated footballer of his generation? Manuel Pellegrini, who managed Milner at Manchester City, once described him as the most complete English player in the modern game. He praised his all-round ability, commitment, performance levels and versatility, but the problem was both of them left the Etihad in 2016. Milner was allowed to go to Anfield on a free transfer because he didn’t fit the mould wanted by incoming boss Pep Guardiola. Milner helped his current side dump his old team out of Europe recently in a remarkable 5-1 quarter-final tie. Klopp’s much-vaunted front three of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino steal all the headlines – and deservedly so. At the same time, Milner, who spent most of last season at left-back because no one else wanted to play there, continues to perform with a remarkable level of consistency under the radar. He must be one of the first names on Klopp’s team sheet, which makes it all the more peculiar that Milner won’t ever be named on England’s team sheet again. Milner, 32, retired from international football in 2016 following a conversation with then-boss Sam Allardyce.

Given the time Allardyce spent in the job, I can only imagine it was brief.

Milner won 61 caps in seven years of international football and went to four major tournaments, but wasn’t used in the last of these – England’s shambolic failure at Euro 2016.

Faster

In fact, England’s constant failings during this period had little to do with someone who never let his country down.

But while Milner focuses on getting the maximum out of what remains of his club career, current Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate is mulling over his options for this summer’s World Cup and wondering who will fulfil the defensive midfield role.

The obvious choice would be Milner, who remains fitter, faster and more industrious than the likes of Eric Dier and club captain Jordan Henderson.

Southgate will be at Anfield tomorrow for the first leg against Roma to run the rule over Henderson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

But Southgate should seek out Milner just to see if he is willing to come out of retirement. He wouldn’t be able to wash his car for a few weeks but the wait could be worth it.