Liverpool have found Arne Slot his new James Milner | OneFootball

Liverpool have found James Milner's heir at last.

What an icon the former Reds midfielder was. Milner was probably one of the most reliable players under Jurgen Klopp's reign at Anfield.

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No matter the game or the weather, he could always be trusted to step-up and put in a strong performance. Whether that was in midfield, right-back, left-back or wherever else Klopp needed him to play.

Milner was the definition of a utility man. His industrious nature and his game-intelligence meant that he could simply play anywhere and that's why he could play at the club for so long.

That's why he's continuing to play at Brighton in the Premier League, even after leaving the club two years ago and even though he's reaching 40-years-old.

Milner is a colossus, and now Liverpool might have his replacement.

This was evident in Liverpool's victory over Preston North End in the club's opening pre-season game.

With some of Slot's senior options still unavailable for selection, it meant that Liverpool were forced to field a makeshift starting line-up.

This gave the opportunity to a number of young players at the club. Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni caught the eye. The duo showed that Slot has two absolute gems who will be the club's future for years to come and who deserve to be on the Reds' pre-season tour to Asia.

But they were not the only ones who caught the eye.

Luca Stephenson made his mark for Liverpool last season and he enjoyed a good spell at Dundee in Scotland's top-flight during the 2024/25 campaign.

For Dundee, Stephenson was mostly used in midfield, and as a right wing-back. But this time around Slot decided to play Stephenson as a centre-back due to the lack of options available.

Stephenson never looked out of place in credit to him. Liverpool controlled the first half and when Stephenson was called upon he performed brilliantly in the defensive side of the game.

It was even more impressive the way he was able to control and dictate the tempo of the match. Stephenson actually completed the most passes (34) on the pitch in the first-half, which considering the likes of Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Joe Gomez were also playing is very impressive to say the least.

Over the course of his career, Stephenson has pretty much played everywhere in the Reds' academy.

Now he's proven he can step-up when and wherever he is needed in the first team as well. And that's why he's the Reds' new Milner and why Slot should keep him around.