James Milner to Liverpool could easily go down as one of the best free transfers in the Premier League.

Milner’s form at the heart of Liverpool’s midfield has been fantastic this season, and the 32-year-old only seems to be getting better and better.

After the arrival of over £90 million worth of midfield talent in Naby Keita and Fabinho during the summer, many thought that Milner would be reduced to a bit-part role this season.

However, the former Manchester City man continues to be the first name on Jurgen Klopp’s team sheet and is yet to let his adoring manager down.

Milner is the ultimate professional and has proven time and time again to be one of the fittest footballers on the planet.

His work rate is simply unmatched and he just seems to keep running forever.

Klopp loves a workhorse and Milner is the epitome of that term.

While he may not be the most technical or skillful midfielder in the world, Milner’s underrated passing, desire to win the ball back and on-field leadership will be essential to Liverpool’s title charge this season.

Speaking ahead of their massive home tie with title rivals Manchester City, Klopp highlighted an unexpected reason behind Milner’s incredible improvement as a midfielder.

“When people say he is a ‘work horse’, for me it is always a compliment,”

“He is naturally fit, an athlete. I was open (when I first arrived) and he matched the expectation I had after a few weeks – or even better.

“Probably after his career is finished in a few years he will think back to the season where he played left-back as a season where he learned a lot about football because he saw the pitch from a different angle constantly.

Liverpool to beat Man City 2-0 (14/1)*

“He knows much more about supporting from another position. That he can play the position was clear otherwise I wouldn’t have asked him.

“I was open [in 2015] and he used all opportunities.”

It really was a strange decision to play Milner at left-back but one that paid dividends at the time.

And now it seems that Liverpool are still reaping the benefits as it gave Milner a unique understanding of the game that no other midfielder can claim to have.

The Red’s vice-captain will have to be at his very best come Sunday if the Red’s are to keep City quiet in front of an expectant Anfield crowd.

What a monumental clash it promises to be.

*Odds subject to change