The Liverpool veteran led by example from the penalty spot on Wednesday night.
Milner stood up to take the Reds’ first penalty in a dramatic shoot-out win over Arsenal in the League Cup, helping send the Reds through to the quarter-finals of the competition.
It came after the experienced 33-year-old had earlier made a mistake which led to an Ainsley Maitland-Niles goal for the Gunners, part of a pulsating 5-5 draw after 90 minutes.
Despite that error, he was one of the senior players to help some young stars through the match and make a spirited comeback.
Taking on the pressure of the first penalty then set the stage for others to fire Liverpool into the next round.
He had also earlier scored from the spot in the first half with his team 3-1 down.
Warnock was impressed and revealed that Milner simply doesn’t feel pressure in those big moments.
As quoted by BBC Sport (30/10 live match page, 22:25), he said: “James Milner is so calm in those situations. He said to me the other week that ‘pressure is for tyres’ when I asked if he feels any when asked to take a penalty.
“He enjoys being under that pressure, he thrives off it.”
Milner’s presence, despite his advancing years, remains a crucial component of this Liverpool dressing room even though he’s not starting every week.
He may not be the designated club captain but he’s certainly one of the prominent leaders at the club and it’s something that is adding so much to the Reds’ team unit on and off the pitch.
It was no surprise he was one of the players who drove Liverpool on to come back into the game in the second half last night, wearing the armband.
If Klopp’s team are to win trophies again this season, the veteran play a massive part.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
