Liverpool midfielder James Milner picks his dream XI, but there is no Mohamed Salah

Liverpool legend James Milner has revealed his all-time XI of his past and present team-mates throughout his illustrious career, but there is no Mohamed Salah.

The 36-year-old, who has played more than 800 games, started his career at the age of 16 with Leeds United and 20 years later he is still going strong in the Premier League.

The versatile midfielder has played for the likes of Newcastle, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Liverpool, picking up a raft of trophies along the way, including three Premier Leagues, two League Cups, an FA Cup and a Champions League.

James Milner has revealed his all-time XI of his past and present team-mates throughout his illustrious career

Milner has played for the likes of Leeds, Aston Villa, Newcastle, Manchester City and now Liverpool

The former England international has picked a mixture of players that he played alongside internationally, at present for Liverpool, and from a few of his previous clubs, when he sat down with Four Four Two.

He has surprising left out Red ace Mohamed Salah who has been instrumental in helping Jurgen Klopp’s side win the Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup in recent seasons. 

Milner has selected his current team-mate Alisson Becker in between the sticks, despite playing alongside the likes of Nigel Martyn and Joe Hart. 

At right-back, he opted for another Liverpool star in Trent Alexander-Arnold, despite playing alongside Gary Kelly, Luke Young, and Glen Johnson in the past. 

Current Liverpool team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold (pictured) is named in Milner’s best XI 

At centre-back he has chosen Jonathan Woodgate from his time at Leeds and Virgil van Dijk who he is playing alongside at Liverpool currently.

He was full of praise for the duo, especially considering he left out some big names in that position, including Rio Ferdinand and Vincent Kompany. 

‘Woody was exceptional at Leeds and so unlucky with injuries, but before that we all thought he was a superstar. 

‘Put it this way: I’m leaving both Rio Ferdinand and Vincent Kompany out of my side, which shows just how much I thought of him.’ 

‘He’s some player; great with the ball at his feet and commanding. It’s a surprise when you see the big man having to get out of second gear.  

Milner (right) has picked Liverpool’s ‘commanding’ centre-back Virgil van Dijk (left) is his starting XI

At left-back, Milner has selected his former England team-mate Ashley Cole, who he described as the ‘fittest footballer around’.

Centre-midfield: David Silva 

‘With him, it was always about the weight of a pass and spotting things nobody else could. 

‘But he also loved a tackle! David could decide a game on his own with three assists, but he’d come off buzzing if he won the ball. ‘Did you see my tackle?!’ he’d say afterwards. He was so funny.’

Centre-midfield: Steven Gerrard 

‘The best all-round footballer I’ve ever played with: left foot, right foot, heading, shooting, defending. 

‘It’s scary to think about it, as you could have played him anywhere and he would have excelled.’

Steven Gerrard (left) and Frank Lampard (right) were the centre-midfield choices alongside Milner’s former Man City team-mate David Silva

Centre-midfield: Frank Lampard 

‘The number of goals that Frank scored from midfield gets him into this team – we’d find a way to make him and Stevie work together! 

‘I can tell that Lamps will do well as a coach, because his attitude as a player was always second to none.’

Right forward: Roberto Firmino 

‘The lowest-maintenance footballer I’ve ever known. He simply works really hard, smiles and does everything that’s asked of him. 

‘His work-rate without the ball is something else, but his ability with the ball at his feet gets him into my line-up.’

Centre-forward: Alan Shearer 

‘Alan lived to score goals and was the best at it. When you think about all the great players who have followed him since he retired and yet he still has the Premier League goals record, then you appreciate how exceptional he was.’

Former Newcastle legend and Premier League top goalscorer Alan Shearer (pictured) is named as the centre-forward

Left forward: Sergio Aguero 

‘I remember the ball falling to Sergio in injury time against QPR, when Man City won the league in 2012. 

‘It was hard to know from my angle how good a chance it was, because when you saw him pulling his leg back, you had to be confident he was going to hit the back of the net. Fantastic.’

Manager: Jurgen Klopp 

‘I’d better pick the boss or he’ll get upset. Terry Venables gave me my debut and comes a close second. 

‘Jurgen is intense, but what you see is what you get and he’s a pleasure to work with.’

Milner insisted he better pick the boss Jurgen Klopp (pictured) or he’ll get upset

Substitutes: Rio Ferdinand, Sadio Mane and David Beckham.