Milner: If anyone can cope with festive period, Liverpool can

There is no Premier League squad better equipped to deal with the hectic schedule of fixtures over the festive period than Liverpool, that’s according to James Milner.

The Reds face the unenviable task of playing three games in six days – squaring off with Stoke City on December 27, hosting Manchester City on December 31 and then travelling to Sunderland for January 2.

Milner knows how much the next week can affect the shape of the Premier League table but is convinced Liverpool have the fitness within their ranks to thrive on the challenge.

Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images

And the vice-captain is keen to capitalise on the back-to-back-to-back nature of the matches.

“Christmas is such a critical time,” said Milner. “It can work both ways – if you’ve lost, you’ve got a chance to put it right quickly, and if you’re coming off a win then you want to keep that momentum going so hopefully we can keep doing that.

“You look at the league table now and you look at it the first week in January [then] it’ll look completely different with a few different results, so we have to make sure we’re on our game and keep this momentum going.

“It’s such a critical time of the year every year, it’s so important. Hopefully we get a few of the boys back as well who are injured, getting closer, and keep everyone fit.

“The schedule we’ve got is pretty ridiculous – you expect games thick and fast this time of year, but we have to touch wood there and hope we get a bit of luck with injuries because obviously it’s going to be a big hit. We have to make sure we’re ready.

“I think we’re arguably up there with the fittest squads in the league, so if anyone can deal with that load, we can.”