---
title: "Keown warns Milner that he shouldn’t consider an England recall"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/articles/feature-writers/keown-warns-milner-that-he-shouldnt-consider-an-england-recall/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Elliott Cuff"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2018-09-20T19:35:35Z"
modified: "2018-09-20T19:35:35Z"
---

# Keown warns Milner that he shouldn’t consider an England recall

Former England defender Martin Keown has warned Liverpool midfielder James Milner to forget about an England recall.

The 32-year old central midfielder has been in electric form for the Reds over the last 18-months, and this week’s impressive performance against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League has reignited talk of a Three Lions recall.

Milner retired from international duty in August 2016 following England’s disappointing European Championships campaign, but has gone from strength to strength in the time since.

![Julian Finney/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/readliverpoolfc/2018/09/1035757844.jpg)

And while Keown was quick to highlight just how well the former Aston Villa and Manchester City man did against the Parisians on Tuesday night, he claimed that Milner shouldn’t put any unnecessary extra strain on his body.

Talking to [MailOnline](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6188817/TACKLE-KEOWN-Whats-wrong-Mohamed-Salah-Paul-Pogba-proved-critics-wrong.html), Keown said:

> Milner’s performance against PSG was quite magnificent.

> He gave Neymar special attention. Every time he got on the ball, Milner snapped the door shut

> He covers so much ground that he is like an extra player all over the pitch. As one of the more senior players in the side, he is like a big brother getting around the pitch to help out his younger team-mates.

> He puts in the challenges, takes out opponents in a fair manner and snuffs out danger. His crossing is also sublime. Whether it’s with his right foot or his left, defenders should be alert to the fact that a quality delivery is coming in.

> He is like a fine wine getting better with age — but that does not mean he should come out of international retirement.

> Of course Gareth would love to have a player like Milner but given the vast amount of work he gets through every game for Liverpool, the international breaks are an important rest time.

> If Milner returned to the England fold, there is a danger we would start focusing on what he can’t do rather than what he brings to a team.

> Let’s just enjoy watching him for Liverpool.