Jurgen Klopp believes Liverpool have benefited from James Milner's decision to retire from England duty as he saluted his Champions League record-breaker.

The 32-year-old vice-captain has enjoyed a new lease of life since regaining his place in midfield this term - playing a starring role in a memorable European campaign for the Reds.

When Milner created the fifth goal for Roberto Firmino in Tuesday's 5-2 semi-final first leg win over Roma he became the first player to provide nine assists in a Champions League season. He had previously shared the record with Neymar and Wayne Rooney.

Milner, who called time on his international career in the summer of 2016, has clocked up 43 appearances for Liverpool so far this season.

"He could always play for England, that was clear, but he decided not to do it any more," Klopp said.

"We don't know if he would still have played like this had he not stopped with England because he used the international breaks for recovery. His was a completely different situation to the international players.

"He had three weeks without football in the whole season – in August, October/November and then the third. That makes a massive difference.

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"He is performing at a really high level. He understood the style of play completely in the midfield role."

Asked about the assists record, Klopp added: "That is so cool. What can I say? We have at least one more game so hopefully he will get the chance to improve that statistic but it's really nice for him.

"I've heard that people have this hashtag for him – Boring Milner – and he responds to it. It's nice for him to have this record.

"You have all these world class players and the man who shows up with the most assists is James Milner. That is really cool. I'm happy for him."

Milner, who joined the Reds on a free transfer from Manchester City in 2015, spent most of last season playing as a makeshift left-back.

During pre-season last summer Klopp hailed Milner as "like a new signing" after deciding he would be utilised in his favoured midfield role this term. His experience in a young squad has been invaluable.

"He was always a versatile player," Klopp added.

"He came from the wing and I think when he was very young he was a proper striker, right? He is an energetic player, fantastic attitude, endurance is outstanding, sprint is good.

"It’s all good. It was a little bit, I don’t know in the past, about decision making but it’s not now. With all the experience now he has improved a lot.

"From the first day, I think I said it in the press conference, the good thing is we have another new signing as James Milner is back in midfield. It’s always about the boys to use that opportunity and he used it."

With Adam Lallana, Emre Can and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all out, Milner is one of only three senior midfielders still standing ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Stoke City at Anfield.

"He was always a big leader in the dressing room and on the pitch," Klopp said.

"He still has this energetic style but he calms down in other situations too on the passing side.

"He is in absolutely good shape. We couldn't be here if the boys had not performed as they did in the last few weeks.

"It is not only Milly of course, but he's shown consistent form. Hendo (Jordan Henderson) the same and Gini (Wijnaldum) came on and played an outstanding game (against Roma). It would not work without them."