There comes a time in a footballer’s career where he becomes conscious of being older than his opponents. It has happened a couple of times for James Milner when playing for Liverpool lately. He is, after all, older than KRC Genk (formed 1988) and has been playing professional football longer than MK Dons (formed 2004).



At 33 years and nine months, though, he is not even that old. Fourteen players older than him have appeared in the Premier League this season, including his former England team-mate Phil Jagielka at Sheffield United and his former Manchester City team-mates Pablo Zabaleta (now at West Ham), Fernandinho and David Silva.



And if you are only as old as you feel, then Milner’s physical prowess sets him apart from his fellow oldies. Every year, on the first day of pre-season, Liverpool’s players are put through the infamous lactate test, designed to monitor aerobic performance. Every year, Milner beats his team-mates...