Jurgen Klopp wants to keep both James Milner and Roberto Firminho at Anfield as he praises their mentality and workrate.
According to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, veteran midfielder James Milner remains an important figure at the club despite his age.
Despite starting in just seven of his 21 appearances this season, Milner’s influence in the dressing room cannot be understated. His contract with the club is set to expire in June, but Klopp has revealed that they are considering a number of options for the 37-year-old, including a coaching role at the end of the campaign.
“We have different plans for Milly but Milly wants to keep playing,” the German manager said.
“When you see him play the other night (in the FA Cup replay victory at Wolves) I think everyone understands that.
“You can’t judge him normal for his age. He is 37, doesn’t look a day like this when he is in training. He is an incredibly important player and in this game (Wolves) you saw that on the pitch as well.
“It is not that Milly expects to play 64 games a season but in 64 games a season Milly could be extremely important. That is how it is. Milly has reached 600 (Premier League) games and most of them for Liverpool.
On the other hand, the future of forward Roberto Firmino appears to be more uncertain, as his contract is also set to expire in the summer.
Klopp would like the Brazil international, who is currently injured, to stay but he may have to accept reduced personal terms in order to extend his stay at Anfield into a ninth season.
“Bobby knows the situation here and what we think of him. The first part of the season we were not flying but Bobby was the only one who played a normal season.
“He is really important, the link-up, in tight areas having a player with his footballing intelligence, you can develop the game from here.
“He is unselfish and you don’t get that very often. Great player.
“I don’t know 1,000% what his plans are, maybe someone else will offer him something better?”