---
title: "Michael Dawson hails ‘absolutely sensational’ James Milner"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/michael-dawson-hails-absolutely-sensational-james-milner/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2021-09-19T08:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-09-19T08:00:00Z"
---

# Michael Dawson hails ‘absolutely sensational’ James Milner

Former Premier League defender Michael Dawson hailed [Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/09/18/mark-lawrenson-predicts-comfortable-liverpool-success/) ace [James Milner](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/07/27/virals-james-milner-shows-off-during-training-before-mocking-teammate/) as ‘absolutely sensation’ on Saturday.

The versatile 35-year-old was somewhat of a [surprise inclusion from the start](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/443818-team-news-confirmed-liverpool-line-up-v-crystal-palace) as the Reds welcomed Crystal Palace to Anfield.

With regular right-back sidelined due to illness – cited as [‘Zaha-itis’](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/443901-james-milner-on-palace-win-right-back-role-sadio-s-century) by Milner on social media – the experienced star was tasked with the role.

Speaking on [Sky Sports News (3:15pm, September 18, 2021)](https://www.skysports.com/football), Dawson, himself just two years the elder of the Yorkshireman, was full of praise for Milner.

> For any young player, watch James Milner. For what he is doing at this level at his age is absolutely sensational. What a pro!

Milner completed a [second 90 minutes](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-milner/leistungsdaten/spieler/3333) this season having played the entirety of the opening day victory over Norwich City.

The [61-cap](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-milner/nationalmannschaft/spieler/3333/verein_id/3299) England stalwart was one of a number of changes in Jurgen Klopp’s side as Kostas Tsimikas replaced Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate was handed a full debut.

Those changes failed to disrupt the Reds’ rhythm as goals from Mohamed Salah, Naby Keita and a Liverpool [100th for Sadio Mane](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/441808-sadio-mane-scores-100-liverpool-goals) sealed all three points.

### READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT

Dawson is spot on here.

Milner’s [professionalism](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/366480-jurgen-klopp-james-milner-mr-professional) has gifted him a superb career at the top with almost unrivalled longevity.

Boasting a remarkable [566 Premier League appearances](https://www.premierleague.com/players/2100/James-Milner/stats), the former Leeds United, Aston Villa and Manchester City man truly is a legend.

An [injury suffered to Thiago](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/443899-thiago-alcantara-injury-update) could see the Spaniard miss the midweek trip to face Norwich in the Carabao Cup – perhaps handing Milner a start in his more accustomed midfield role.