Hearing reports that Milner's injury was a hamstring problem. So that's three plus weeks out. Far from ideal for the teams fittest and most flexible player.
Some have argued that Man City's drop in form has been primarily due to injuries (like Laporte's), and there is a lot of truth to that. However Liverpool also have a crowded physio room and are currently heavily relying on the full extent of their squad depth to get by. Some questioned the wisdom of Klopp keeping four center backs around, but we've used them all and then some.
Very unfortunate for Milner and he is a fine player.
However, I would be curious to see stats for injuries and teams with a view to examining whether these can be co-related to the stye or type of football currently being played by some teams.
There is little doubt that - at he very top - players are paid better than ever, have extraordinary resources (training, etc) at their disposal, and receive incredible support from the back room staff, not least medical specialists.
Likewise, there seems little doubt that the very top teams - Manchester City, Leicester, Liverpool - have transformed standards of physical fitness in recent years, (and others may well need to catch up somewhat, yes, Arsenal, I'm looking at you), and, in addition to that, have - with their high pressing games - demanded much more by way of movement, pace, speed of mental and physical reactions and decision making, space covered, from their players in turn.
Nevertheless, one wonders whether this - together with a heavy fixtures list, and the sheer unpleasantness of winter - is not finally taking something of a toll from some players.
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