Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed that James Milner initially did not love being deployed as a left-back, but was happy to play his part for the team.

The 30-year-old has been a surprising success in his new position this season, but Klopp insists that he always believed in the abilities of the veteran midfielder.

"Football has changed in the last few years; you need different players with different skills for different positions than before," the manager said in his press-conference at Melwood ahead of the New Year's Eve clash with Manchester City.

"For us, it was clear that if Millie was open for this position then everything would be good. It was not a big surprise for us – not because we are geniuses, only because we already knew him and knew how we wanted to play from the position.

"Clyney (Nathaniel Clyne), on the other side, played the position in the past completely differently. Now he is the same on the right hand side. He is more a winger than he was last year. That's exactly the same development, only a different way.

"Things change and players have to adapt. You are never too old to develop. Millie didn't love the position but I think nobody really spoke with him about it – 'Put him there and play'.

"We always liked this player and for us it was clear we would try everything to use him and that's what has happened."