Emre Can has heaped praise on James Milner for his brilliance from the penalty spot, following the 31-year-old’s spot-kick against Man City on Sunday.
Liverpool and City played out a superb 1-1 draw at the Etihad, and once the final whistle had been blown, a point apiece was a very fair outcome.
Milner found himself booed throughout by his former supporters, but he silenced them with a typically ruthless penalty early in the second-half.
The veteran has now converted from the spot at City, Man United and Tottenham this season, as well as two penalties at home Hull City and further efforts against Swansea City and Sunderland.
Can admits Milner could the best penalty taker he has seen during his career, and he was also impressed with his teammate’s all-round performance.
“I [have] never seen a player like Millie who scores penalties,” Can praised.
“He’s incredible in training sessions, every ball is hard in the corner, he shoots penalties very well.
“In the game, he played very well, and it wasn’t an easy game for him against Raheem [Sterling].
“He’s quick and it’s very difficult to play against him. I’m very happy that he scored again.”
- Milner has scored 7 penalties this season. The most for a Liverpool player in a single league campaign is 10, by Steven Gerrard (2013/14) and John Aldridge (1987/88). Can Milner match that in the remaining 9 games?
Speaking about the game, Can felt the result was fair, and on a day when the German was arguably Man of the Match, he admitted it was a tough afternoon.
“It was an open game and both sides had big chances, [so] I think nobody can complain about 1-1,” he added.
“Man City had chances at the end but we had a big chance as well, so I think 1-1 was okay.
“Every game is always intense but today maybe it was a little bit more intense because Man City are a team who want to play and they did it very well.
“Of course, if you play in front of the back four, then you have to run a lot. I tried to help my team today; it was an intense game but that’s football, we are young!”
Can has been criticised for a number of below-par displays this season, and his divisive nature has seen plenty calling for him to be moved on in the summer.
He showed on Sunday that he can be a fantastic midfielder when he wants to be, though, with his defensive work, in particular, outstanding.
If he can perform like this most weeks, Liverpool will have a truly formidable midfielder in their ranks.
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