Liverpool fans will have been disappointed by their side's performance as they lost 1-0 away to Southampton in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final, but at least they know they've got total commitment from the evergreen James Milner.
As if that wasn't already obvious by his seamless and selfless transition to left-back. The move that raised eyebrows initially has proven to be a masterstroke as Milner can boast stats to make every fullback in Europe jealous, but it really just shows the beauty of the former Leeds and Newcastle man, as he will always put the team before himself.
That, and he'll never give up, as can be seen from a comical clip with time running down at St.Mary's on Wednesday night. After possibly being fouled and then falling on his arse, Milner saw the only opportunity to keep the ball in play was to faceplant himself on top of it...
So he went for it.
What a man.
It gave the neutrals watching a good laugh, but Liverpool fans were loving it too.
James Milner controlling the ball with his face in the 89th minute was worth the rest of the game.
— Justin. (@JuzaShannon) January 11, 2017
Milner is a competitor- he'll shield the ball from someone's boot with his face #LFC
— Ben lawrence (@Lawrence_ben74) January 11, 2017
James Milner controlled the ball with his face better than Emre Can did with his feet all game pic.twitter.com/gzVZuwdDM5
— Jay (@Jay_Castley) January 11, 2017
Hard to be down about that result when you've seen James Milner control a ball with his massive face.
— Phil (@Giddysaurus) January 11, 2017
Milner going for the ball with his face on the ground to avoid losing it is the best thing i've seen a footballer do
— Anan Limby Abubaker (@Anan_Abubaker) January 11, 2017
Poor game, can only think of two positives; Coutinho coming on and looking sharp and Milner controlling the ball with his face. #LFC #YNWA
— Ryan Hatton (@RyanHatton) January 11, 2017
James Milner is dedecated #LFC. If in doubt, slam your face on it pic.twitter.com/bvHLRqygJb
— Lewis (@Lewis_Nich) January 11, 2017
When milner uses his face to stop the ball and prevent the opponent from getting it... true commitment. What a guy! #lfc #YNWA
— Aldrin S Govindasamy (@AStevieG) January 11, 2017
Milner was willing to take a foot to the face to not get dispossessed he's fucking awesome!!! #LFC #souliv
— Kurt (@herbalife_kurt) January 11, 2017
Highlight of the #LFC performance tonight is milner on his hands and knees controlling the ball with his face
— Andy da silva (@therealwudstar) January 11, 2017
Milner just shielded the ball with his face. My kind of guy.
— Mike (@Coutinhology) January 11, 2017
Total committment.
We've seen Jon Walters use his arse to perfection in protecting the ball, but the face? That's a new one.
