Sport Jurgen Klopp hails "role model" James Milner's influence over Liverpool youngsters James Milner opened the scoring as Liverpool strolled into the Carabao Cup fourth round with a 2-0 victory over MK Dons Share Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

Jurgen Klopp paid tribute to James Milner for being the perfect “role model” to Liverpool ’s next generation.

Liverpool veteran Milner, 33, was the oldest player to start last night’s win as Klopp gave some of the club’s exciting youngsters a chance to shine in the Carabao Cup.

But it was Milner who ended up taking centre stage as he scored, provided an assist for Dutch teenager Ki-Jana Hoever and was comfortably the best player on the pitch.

It was that sort of example that Klopp as, incredibly, Liverpool debutant Harvey Elliott was not even born when Milner scored his first goal in the Premier League back on Boxing Day 2002. James Milner has been praised for his influence on Liverpool's less experienced players (Image: AFP/Getty Images)

Liverpool boss Klopp said: “Absolutely this man is on fire, that’s how it is and that’s good. It helps a lot. That’s the real role model for young players. Absolutely great.

“The player with the most experience and most rhythm was the best player on the pitch. We have to be brave enough. We are here to win the game, no other reason.”

They did it comfortably enough, too, as Klopp made 11 changes, gave full debuts to Elliott - at 16 years and 174 days the youngest player to start a game for Liverpool - while hot prospect Rhian Brewster, 19, and 20-year-old keeper Caoimhin Kelleher also made their full debuts. Jurgen Klopp has been impressed with James Milner (Image: REUTERS) Milner opened the scoring at Liverpool swept past MK Dons (Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool’s first team have just won the Champions League and their next generation looks in brilliant shape but Klopp insisted they must still prove themselves on the pitch.

Klopp said: “We don’t have to make the bigger than necessary. They’re all good but don’t have to say this one is there and this one not. They all have the right environment. That’s important.

“We believe in them. They have to make the next step. These boys are naturally fit but you see this is not the game anymore. They have to feel it on the pitch.”

Stand-in skipper Milner opened the scoring with a fierce shot which squirmed through MK Dons keeper Stuart Moore to give Liverpool the lead after 42 minutes.

Elliott made an eye catching debut as he twice hit the woodwork, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also hit the post as MK Dons also went close as striker Jordan Bowery must still be wondering how he did not score.

But Liverpool wrapped it up after 69 minutes when Milner’s cross to the back post was headed in by Hoever to set up a mouth watering tie with Arsenal in the next round when two sets of the best kids in the country will go head-to-head.

MK Dons boss Paul Tisdale added: “I was proud of the way we played and disappointed we didn’t score a goal. We deserved a goal. Not saying we deserved to win. We came close. It was a really good night. I think most people enjoyed the game.” Like us on Facebook