The blood above James Milner's left eye had clotted and he looked like a welterweight who had gone the distance in a fight. His face was so flushed, he may have also competed in a marathon – in fact, his performance data revealed that he’d done more than half of one, running further than any of his teammates and much further than any of those opponents trying to disrupt his rhythm.

It was last August and Liverpool had finished taking apart West Ham when he soldiered through Anfield’s mixed zone. The Premier League campaign was one game in but Milner had the scars and bearing of someone who’d already been going at it for months.

On the first day of pre-season training six weeks earlier, he had been the last man standing in an endurance test. Though the whole of the Liverpool squad was not present that morning because of commitments at the World Cup, Jurgen Klopp had predicted Milner would come first. “Ah, the hope of English football,” he joked in front of cameras, considering Milner was 32 at the time and the oldest player involved.

Klopp replaced him again last night – as he now tends to do – but only when Liverpool’s passage to the quarter final was certain. Maybe he stayed on longer because of Jordan Henderson’s enforced exit. It seemed significant, though, that even if Klopp hugs all of his players, the warmest embrace was for his number 7, the one whose diligence is of Stakhanovite proportions.

Once again in Munich, his distance was further than anyone else’s and this is what Klopp looks for first in a midfielder. It explains why he did not go for another number 10 when a deal for Lyon’s Nabil Fekir fell through. There are few who can meet his unique demands in that position. While innovation is important, endurance is, indeed, a necessity.

The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Show all 50 1 /50 The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern vs Liverpool The Allianz Arena glows red as Liverpool fans arrive at the imposing stadium Action Images via Reuters The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern vs Liverpool Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk share a joke before kick-off Action Images via Reuters The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern vs Liverpool Bayern fans before kick-off REUTERS The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern vs Liverpool A packed Allianz Arena observes the familiar Champions League intro music AFP/Getty Images The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern vs Liverpool Niko Kovac takes his place on the touchline AFP/Getty Images The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 0-0 Liverpool (0-0 agg) Jordan Henderson picks up an early injury and is replaced by Fabinho Action Images via Reuters The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 0-0 Liverpool (0-0 agg) Mohamed Salah gets on the ball EPA The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 0-0 Liverpool (0-0 agg) Soccer Football - Champions League - Round of 16 Second Leg - Bayern Munich v Liverpool - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - March 13, 2019 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah in action REUTERS/Andreas Gebert ANDREAS GEBERT REUTERS The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 0-0 Liverpool (0-0 agg) Sadio Mane collects a Virgil van Dijk pass brilliantly before shimmying away from Manuel Neuer... REUTERS The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 0-0 Liverpool (0-0 agg) MUNICH, GERMANY - MARCH 13: Sadio Mane of Liverpool scores his team's first goal past Manuel Neuer of Bayern Munich during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Liverpool at Allianz Arena on March 13, 2019 in Munich, Bavaria. (Photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images) Lars Baron Bongarts/Getty Images The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 0-0 Liverpool (0-0 agg) ... and chips over two defenders and into the empty net REUTERS The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 0-1 Liverpool (0-1 agg) Sadio Mane celebrates handing Liverpool a crucial away goal Bongarts/Getty Images The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 0-1 Liverpool (0-1 agg) Jurgen Klopp celebrates EPA The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 0-1 Liverpool (0-1 agg) Joachim Low watches on from the stands Bongarts/Getty Images The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 0-1 Liverpool (0-1 agg) Mats Hummels challenges Georginio Wijnaldum EPA The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 0-1 Liverpool (0-1 agg) Bayern fans display banners behind Neuer’s goal Action Images via Reuters The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 0-1 Liverpool (0-1 agg) Serge Gnabry gets in behind and crosses into the centre... REUTERS The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 0-1 Liverpool (0-1 agg) epa07435031 Alisson Becker of Liverpool (L), Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool (2-L) and Andrew Robertson of Liverpool (R) in action with Serge Gnabry of Munich (2-R) during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Liverpool FC in Munich, Germany, 13 March 2019. EPA/RONALD WITTEK RONALD WITTEK EPA The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 1-1 Liverpool (1-1 agg) where Joel Matip turns into his own net... 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AFP/Getty Images The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 1-1 Liverpool (1-1 agg) ...but can't quite turn the ball home AP The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 1-1 Liverpool (1-1 agg) Soccer Football - Champions League - Round of 16 Second Leg - Bayern Munich v Liverpool - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - March 13, 2019 Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski in action with Liverpool's Alisson and Joel Matip REUTERS/Michael Dalder MICHAEL DALDER REUTERS The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 1-1 Liverpool (1-1 agg) Bayern Munich's Polish forward Robert Lewandowski reacts as the linesman calls him offside during the UEFA Champions League, last 16, second leg football match Bayern Munich v Liverpool in Munich, southern Germany, on March 13, 2019. (Photo by Christof STACHE / AFP)CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP/Getty Images CHRISTOF STACHE AFP/Getty Images The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 1-1 Liverpool (1-1 agg) Virgil van Dijk rises to power Liverpool further ahead in the tie with a brilliant leap at a corner Bongarts/Getty Images The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 1-1 Liverpool (1-1 agg) Van Dijk beats two Bayern defenders AFP/Getty Images The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 1-2 Liverpool (1-2 agg) He turns to celebrate, knowing Bayern need two goals with 20 minutes to play Action Images via Reuters The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 1-2 Liverpool (1-2 agg) Manuel Neuer grabs the ball out of his net AP The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 1-2 Liverpool (1-2 agg) Liverpool's Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk celebrates scoring the 1-2 goal with his team-mate Brazilian midfielder Roberto Firmino (R) during the UEFA Champions League, last 16, second leg football match Bayern Munich v Liverpool in Munich, southern Germany, on March 13, 2019. (Photo by Christof Stache / AFP)CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP/Getty Images CHRISTOF STACHE AFP/Getty Images The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 1-2 Liverpool (1-2 agg) Liverpool's Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk celebrates scoring the 1-2 goal with his team-mates during the UEFA Champions League, last 16, second leg football match Bayern Munich v Liverpool in Munich, southern Germany, on March 13, 2019. (Photo by Christof Stache / AFP)CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP/Getty Images CHRISTOF STACHE AFP/Getty Images The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 1-2 Liverpool (1-2 agg) Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the Champions League round of 16 second leg soccer match between Bayern Munich and Liverpool at the Allianz Arena, in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, March 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Kerstin Joensson) Kerstin Joensson AP The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 1-2 Liverpool (1-2 agg) MUNICH, GERMANY - MARCH 13: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool (4) celerbates as he scores his team's second goal with team mates during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Liverpool at Allianz Arena on March 13, 2019 in Munich, Bavaria. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) Alex Grimm Bongarts/Getty Images The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 1-2 Liverpool (1-2 agg) Sadio Mane gets free at the back post... Action Images via Reuters The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 1-2 Liverpool (1-2 agg) ...and steers home Liverpool's third to clinch a famous win in Munich Bongarts/Getty Images The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 1-3 Liverpool (1-3 agg) Neuer fumes with his defence as the ball hits the net AP The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 1-3 Liverpool (1-3 agg) Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer reacts during the Champions League round of 16 second leg soccer match between Bayern Munich and Liverpool at the Allianz Arena, in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, March 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Kerstin Joensson) Kerstin Joensson AP The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 1-3 Liverpool (1-3 agg) Liverpool celebrate as the tie is sealed AP The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 1-3 Liverpool (1-3 agg) James Rodriguez reacts AFP/Getty Images The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 1-3 Liverpool (1-3 agg) Alisson celebrates in the Liverpool goal AP The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 1-3 Liverpool (1-3 agg) Van Dijk celebrates the end of the game REUTERS The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 1-3 Liverpool (1-3 agg) Soccer Football - Champions League - Round of 16 Second Leg - Bayern Munich v Liverpool - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - March 13, 2019 Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp celebrates at the end of the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers ANDREW BOYERS Action Images via Reuters The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 1-3 Liverpool (1-3 agg) Serge Gnabry is deflated at full-time AFP/Getty Images The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 1-3 Liverpool (1-3 agg) Mats Hummels applauds the few remaining Bayern fans Reuters The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 1-3 Liverpool (1-3 agg) Jurgen Klopp applauds the travelling fans AFP/Getty Images The story of Liverpool’s win in Munich Bayern 1-3 Liverpool (1-3 agg) Neuer and Lewandowski share frustrations at the final whistle AFP/Getty Images

Milner’s race, though, has not come at the expense of his capacity to create. This is where you really begin to appreciate how fit Milner actually is because there is a tendency in football to believe legs are not connected to brains. While Milner’s fitness has been maintained, there have been slight improvements in other significant parts of his game. Domestically, he has won more tackles and made more interceptions in 2018/19 than he did in the whole of the last season. He also has a greater number of assists and would have had more with better finishing.

It had been his corner that allowed Virgil van Dijk to score at the Allianz Arena and it had been his corner which ended up with Sadio Mane equalising in the final against Real Madrid last May. Though nine of his assists came during last season’s run towards Kiev, his ten in total since the summer of 2017 means he has more than any other player involved in the Champions League during the period. This means he has contributed enormously to Liverpool’s re-emergence as a European force.

Not so long ago, he had described himself as the “geezer from Yorkshire in his mining boots, lumping across the field.” His modesty has helped his career because he appreciates his own boundaries without being inhibited by them and that is a strength. Managers have always picked him but not always in the position where he has felt most comfortable – which is where he is now under Klopp, in the centre of Liverpool’s midfield. Because Liverpool’s attack is so narrow and this is intended at overloading opposition defences, there is more of a demand on the three behind to fill the gaps and this is where Milner and Georginio Wijnaldum are excellent.

Just as Wijnaldum’s industry and positional sense had a major bearing on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s mature performance in Munich, Milner’s relationship with Andy Robertson has helped the Scot’s game – even if Bayern’s goal did come from that side of the pitch. Phil Neville said on Sunday night that Robertson is now the best left back in Europe and at the very highest level it is hard to think of anyone who has been better or as consistent as him over the last twelve months.

James Milner ran himself into the ground against Bayern (Getty)