Liverpool star 'smashed' by James Milner as Reds left 'petrified' by former player

James Milner terrorized one of Liverpool's key stars in the club's defeat to Brighton, according to a former Reds player, as Brighton came out on top

James Milner made it difficult for one Liverpool player in particular, according to an ex-Reds star(Image: AP)

Florian Wirtz was "smashed" by James Milner on countless occasions in Liverpool's disappointing defeat to Brighton, according to Stephen Warnock.

The former Reds defender, who played for the club from 2004 to 2007, spoke on BBC Radio 5 Live after the Reds succumbed 2-1 at the American Express Stadium to remain fifth in the Premier League table.

A game that Arne Slot had to be without the services of Mohamed Salah and Alisson Becker, the Dutchman soon went without Hugo Ekitike who was forced off in the eighth minute after suffering a suspected dead leg after a collision with Milner.

That wasn't the only impact the ex-Liverpool star had in the game as the 40-year-old put in a stunning performance in the middle of the park in a scintillating showing that rose the Seagulls to eighth in the table.

The Englishman was all action in the 76 minutes he played with Warnock claiming the three-time Premier League winner left Liverpool players "petrified" as well as making sure Wirtz's day at the office was as troubled as possible.

Warnock said: "Liverpool are soft. They are real easy team to play against. James Milner has been the best player on the pitch today in terms of roughing Liverpool up, and using his experience.

"Every time Wirtz has turned, he’s smashed him, making sure he knows he’s there, and they’re petrified."

James Milner put in an impressive showing against his former side(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

After Saturday's clash, Wirtz now has just one goal in his last six league games and it was before the game that the German was urged to be more "selfish" by Steven Gerrard.

peaking to TNT Sports, the ex-Liverpool captain said of the 22-year-old: "I want him to be more selfish. Sometimes, it’s as if he wants the assist more than the goal. I want him to think of himself more in certain moments instead of that extra pass, because he’s got a lovely strike, and he can finish himself.

"He’ll get more goals in his game as well. I think next season is his season. He was always going to take a period of time to adapt, it’s a big move and the pace of the game here in England is a lot different from Germany.

The Germany international had a hard day at the office(Image: PA)

"He said he got a lot more touches and time on the ball. Now that adaptation’s done, I expect him to have a really strong pre-season on the back of a World Cup, and next year take this league by storm.

"He needs to stay physically strong because it’s a more robust league, there’s more duels, there’s more physicality, but in terms of the talent, that’s never not been there. He did have the moments, even when he wasn’t playing well.

"The thing is now, the team are executing his chances, the forwards are finishing the chances, he’s getting more assists and more goals."