Liverpool hero Phil Thompson believes James Milner's superb form this season is due to their summer market business.

Thompson says Milner has excelled this season due to the arrivals of fellow midfielders Naby Keita and Fabinho.

“You see this guy with the ball, he gives it and then gets it back, and it opens space somewhere else," he said on Sky Sports.

“He has two touches maximum because these fellas are in better positions than him and they then want the time.

“Milner just feeds the ball on, he's been an absolute revelation.

“He's realised he's got to up his game, because of Keita coming in, because of Fabinho coming in.

“'I'm 32 years of age, and I'm still fit and I want to be playing in this side'.

“And I think that what he is saying is 'With all these players around me, you're going to have to shift me'.

“That's the thing with bringing in players, competition.

“He has said 'bring it on, I'm going to remain in this team'."