Liverpool star James Milner has revealed how retiring from international football has benefitted him.
The 30-year-old called time on his England career over the summer after Euro 2016. James Milner has told liverpoolfc.com that he is already feeling the benefits of his decision to quit the national team.
“It’s obviously different. It’s a new phase for me in my career,” Milner told Liverpool’s official website.
“I don’t have a rest, if that’s what people think, the manager works us hard when we’re here.
“To concentrate on Liverpool is obviously the big thing for me now. We had a game in the [previous] international break to keep us ticking over. I felt pretty fresh going into the next round of fixtures after the international break.
The former Newcastle United man decided to retire from International football having won 61 caps.
“I had done it for a lot of years, going away with the national team and coming back – and sometimes it was quite tough when you had been travelling, had a couple of days and were back into the fixtures.
“You don’t really get that break. For me personally and hopefully Liverpool, it can be a positive thing that you do feel fresher after the internationals.”
“Although we’re training hard here, you get the odd day off here and there, so that helps. It’s just that mental break as well I think – the travelling and being in that competitive mode every three days for a full season.”
Milner has interestingly been deployed as a left-back by manager Jurgen Klopp this season, a decision which – so far – has been a success. The 30-year-old has provided two assists and scored four goals in seven appearances for the Reds this term.
Liverpool have been in terrific form lately having recorded five wins in their last five games. Klopp’s side take on their bitter rivals Manchester United on October 17.
The Reds find themselves in forth place in the Premier League with 16 points after seven games.