When James Milner walked through the doors of Melwood for the first time he knew exactly what he was there for. But he didn’t really get it.

“I want to play football and play more centrally if I can – and that’s where the manager said he sees me playing,” said Liverpool’s new signing after completing his free transfer move from Manchester City in July 2015.

Over a decade on, and now entering his 40s, the idea of pigeonholing Milner as ‘just’ a central player seems laughable. He’s the James of all trades who has cultivated a storied, and surely soon to be record-breaking career.

Because when Milner, who turns the big 4-0 on Sunday, came on in the 80th minute of Brighton’s 2-0 win over Burnley on Saturday - and yes, in central midfield - he was making his 649th Premier League appearance, placing him just four games away from Gareth Barry’s record of 653.

Currently used in a ‘finisher’ role by Fabian Hurzeler, the Seagulls boss who is over seven years his junior, Milner is seeing...