Milner: Reds' inconsistency is frustrating
James Milner insists he understands frustrations over Liverpool's inconsistency because he knows the squad possesses enough quality to reach a high performance level more regularly.
Wednesday's 3-0 win over Manchester City at Anfield was the latest example of the Reds at their best, as they dominated a side with designs on lifting the Barclays Premier League title this season in running out deserved winners.
Meeting those standards in every game has proved a struggle for Jürgen Klopp's men thus far this season, however, a fact that the vice-captain is fully aware of.
But he is encouraged that there are at least several standout showings to build upon going forward, and expects that to happen given the players at the manager's disposal when everyone is fit.
"It is football I suppose. We have had injuries. It is not excuses, I am just trying to find why it might be," he told the Liverpool Echo.
"We have had a lot of games and I don’t know whether that comes into it and you can't find the tempo that you want all the time. But it is not like we are a team of 11, we have a good squad of players and a lot of quality.
"Everything is here for us to do well and I think that is why people get so frustrated when we don’t perform to the level, because we have shown what levels we can reach [against Manchester City]."
Liverpool's most memorable performances this season have been characterised by the high-intensity, high-pressing style of play that Klopp became known for during his successful spell with Borussia Dortmund.
Milner believes adapting to that approach takes time but is pleased to have seen it executed perfectly in games such as the win over City.
"He is energetic," Milner said. "He gets his points across, he knows what he wants to say. He is different to other managers and I have worked under a lot of managers.
"That is good, it is not a bad thing. Every manager is always going to have his strengths and weaknesses. That energy he brings and that intensity is how he wants us to play football.
"He has come in and changed the style and it will take time to do it but we have shown at times this season we can do it and it is about consistency again."