It is the sheer quality of James Milner’s experience that makes the midfielder such a strong addition to Liverpool’s ranks, believes first-team coach Gary McAllister.

The Reds acted quickly and decisively to see off serious competition and agree a free transfer for the Englishman in the summer.

His know-how and class were evident throughout the pre-season tour of Asia and Australia as Milner settled into his new surroundings in straightforward fashion.

Such has been the speed of the 29-year-old’s adaptation to Anfield life that Brendan Rodgers named him vice-captain to Jordan Henderson ahead of the season opener at Stoke City.

That decision will not have surprised McAllister, who feels the No.7’s past achievements marked him out as a perfect acquisition for a developing side.

“He is a winner, he has won leagues,” the Scot explained to Liverpoolfc.com.

“He’s an experienced player in big competitions and big competitions for his country as well. He brings good experience.

“You can bring in players that are a little bit older and have got experience but their experiences are not necessarily good ones. But he’s got good experience, he knows how to win.

“He’s a Leeds boy, he still talks about Leeds United and I still live in the Leeds area so we’ve got that little bit in common.

“His professionalism in the opening three or four weeks that I’ve been here has been outstanding.”

Milner linked with Henderson in central midfield for his competitive Liverpool debut – a dramatic late victory over Stoke at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday.

Emre Can was introduced in the second half as Rodgers altered his team’s shape, highlighting the kind of options available to the boss in the middle of the park.

Former midfielder McAllister said: “I think we tick most of the boxes.

“You’ve got people who are specialists at sitting in front of a back four, we’ve got players with great running power, players with skill and guile, people who can run beyond strikers.

“You can’t just be pinpointed as players playing in little slots, the fact that we can change things and there’s loads of various little shapes that the manager can use will work well for us I think.”

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