‘Milner still best in English game’

LIVERPOOL legend Terry McDermott has dubbed James Milner “the best player in English football in the last 15 years”.

It is some accolade for the 35-year-old Milner, who usually leaves the headlines to others while he quietly gets on with whatever job on the football field he is tasked with.

His versatility is a manager’s dream, as are his endurance levels, even as the clock ticks on a long career.

Today at West Ham the Kop hero will surely recall being the shy Leeds lad making a debut for his hometown club at Upton Park at the age of 16 years and 309 days, coming on for Jason Wilcox.

Now aged 35 and 27 days, the same ambition and commitment remains, as illustrated by the way Milner shone in

Thursday’s 3-1 win at

Tottenham, which placed

Liverpool’s Premier League season back on track.

McDermott (above) said: “He was unbelievable against Spurs.

Not that anyone should be surprised – for me he’s been the best player in English football for the last 15 years.

“Ask him to play anywhere and he will. Not only that, he will play as well if not better than whoever he has replaced. He’s that good. ” McDermott, as a

Newcastle coach, witnessed the young Milner at close quarters when the midfielder joined from Leeds in 2004.

“You could see straight away the player he was going to develop into,” added McDermott.

“You couldn’t get him off the training ground. Long after everyone else had finished he would be practising freekicks, corners and even throw-ins.

“He was obsessed with being as good a player as he possibly could be. He was just brilliant to have around.

“To think he is still playing at an exceptional level 18 years after making his debut is incredible.

“What’s even more astounding is you can’t see any dropping off in the standards he has always set himself.”

And McDermott reckons Liverpool will still be pinching themselves that Milner joined from Manchester City on a free transfer in June 2015.

“When you talk about value for money he has to be right up there,” said McDermott.

“He has been so instrumental in Liverpool’s success. “Wherever he has been, and that includes Newcastle, he has been regarded as one of the best players, if not the best.

“I would have loved him in the Liverpool sides I played in.”