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James Milner could be utilised at left-back after target Ben Chilwell signs new five-year contract with Leicester

The 30-year-old would provide emergency cover to Alberto Moreno

Samuel Lovett
Friday 29 July 2016 10:36 BST
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James Milner during Liverpool's Europa League final
James Milner during Liverpool's Europa League final

James Milner could be utilised as an emergency left-back at Liverpool after target Ben Chilwell dedicated his future to Leicester City.

Having failed to land the young Foxes prospect, Klopp is currently short of options at left-back and it’s believed Alberto Moreno will start the new season as his first-choice.

But given Liverpool’s limited options, Milner is now emerging as a genuine option to provide cover in emergencies, according to the Daily Telegraph, and even finished the International Champions Cup against Chelsea in the position.

The sight of Moreno as Klopp’s first-choice left-back may discomfort fans though. The Spaniard endured a difficult end to last season with a dismal performance in the Europa League Final against Sevilla.

Nonetheless, Klopp insisted he will not be panicked into paying out huge fees after Chilwell snubbed the Reds in favour of the Foxes.

“The best player of the last season is good to know but it is more interesting trying to find out who will be the best one next year,” he said.

“If you knew it now, that would be a really cool transfer. It would be much cheaper too. That is what we work for. It is about finding the players who can make the next step with us.

“If you bring one player in for £100m or whatever, and he gets injured, then it all goes through the chimney.

“The day that this is football, I'm not in a job anymore, because the game is about playing together. If I spend money, it is because I am trying to build a team, a real team.”

Klopp’s comments follow in the wake of Paul Pogba's anticipated move to Manchester United which is expected to break the £100m barrier.

The German has made it clear that he won’t be pressured into spending big in order to provide his side with the cover it needs, but whether or not Milner would be able to perform in the left-back position remains to be seen.

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