After cruelly missing out on the title last term, Jurgen Klopp’s side have come into December eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table. Their league record so far has been virtually perfect, with only Manchester United taking points from the Reds in their opening 14 games.
But a shockingly busy December schedule is looming, the sort that any team in the world would feel aggrieved to have to play. The Reds are in action nine times in all, not to mention the additional fixture on the second day of January.
Five of those games are in the Premier League, with a crunch Champions League showdown in Salzburg preceding a Carabao Cup meeting with Aston Villa and two Club World Cup games.
Klopp knows he must prioritise the league and Champions League, but the unfortunate consecutive-day scheduling of their Carabao Cup and Club World Cup fixtures means he can barely afford to rest players even then.
The big German was criticised for his rotation policy on occasions during his time at Borussia Dortmund but has come to realise that the same style is not possible if he wants to lead Liverpool to the trophy they want most.
December will provide a fascinating test for him, as it is virtually impossible for any team to make it through that many games in such a short time span without injuries occurring.
No one will play every game, and no player will be more important to the Reds this December than the evergreen James Milner.
So far this season, Milner, valued at £13.5m by Transfermarkt, has started four Champions League and two Carabao Cup games, but only two Premier League matches. The 33-year-old won the Reds pre-season fitness tests yet again this summer and seems to have found a specific role in Liverpool’s push for silverware this season.
While two league starts may not sound impressive, he has made a further eight appearances as a substitute. His big game experience and tactical versatility make him the perfect utility substitute as well as a dependable starter when called upon.
If Liverpool are to survive December with their league advantage intact and safe progression to the Champions League knockout stage assured, they must learn to win without their big names.
The Reds famously showed last season that they were not as reliant on their established front three as many thought in the 4-0 Champions League semi-final victory over Barcelona, but question marks remain about many other positions.
Milner has played at centre midfield, right and left back already this campaign and when Klopp has chosen to rest his key players so far this season, Milner has been chosen to step in and lead the Reds to victory. While his position on the pitch may not be certain, you can bet big money that you’ll see a lot of James Milner in December.
