James Milner hails Liverpool's midfield options

James Milner: In action for Liverpool against Stoke

Liverpool's James Milner says "energy" is the key attribute Brendan Rodgers wants to see from his midfielders at Anfield.

Milner, who moved to Merseyside on a free transfer from Manchester City in the summer, started Monday's win against Bournemouth in central midfield alongside Jordan Henderson, who is a doubt for Liverpool's match against Arsenal on Monday evening.

Speaking on the club's official website, Milner said: "There's a lot of options for us and a lot of different styles of players, and a lot of energy. That's how we want to play, we want to move the ball but we want to put teams under pressure as well when they have it."

Emre Can replaced Henderson against Bournemouth and is another option for Brendan Rodgers in central midfield.

"It depends how the manager wants to play - two or three, or one of us sitting or moving out," Milner added. "There's plenty of energy in there.

"Emre came on as well, Adam Lallana played in there and Philippe Coutinho played in there at Stoke City," he said.

Liverpool have a 100 per cent record this season, but Milner is expecting a tough game when they travel to Emirates Stadium.

"They look sharp," he said. "They had a disappointing result in their first game against West Ham United, but they are a quality team and will want to bounce back from that and try to get their run going.

"We have defended well in the first two games of the season and we're going to need to do that there. But if we can keep improving and keep clean sheets, we have quality going forward,"

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Liverpool midfielder Lucas is poised to join Besiktas on a season-long loan

Lucas: Liverpool's longest serving player set for exit

Liverpool midifelder Lucas is set to leave Anfield and join Turkish side Besiktas on loan until the end of the season, according to reports.

Lucas is Liverpool's longest-serving player but has fallen out of favour at Anfield and failed to make either of Brendan Rodgers' starting line-ups for their opening two Premier League wins over Stoke and Bournemouth.

According to Sky sources, the Turkish side say they are confident of signing the Brazilian midfielder, who has two years remaining on his current contract, within the next two days.

Besiktas are in the market for a midfielder following injuries to Toglay Arslan and Veli Kavlak. 

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Daniel Sturridge may return against Manchester United

Daniel Sturridge: Could return for Liverpool against Manchester United

Daniel Sturridge has completed his rehabilitation programme after hip surgery and may return for Liverpool against Mancheste United next month.

Sturridge was restricted to just 17 first-team appearances and only nine starts last season after struggling with thigh, hamstring and, finally, hip injuries throughout the whole of the campaign.

The England international underwent surgery in May and has spent the majority of his recovery period in Boston, undergoing rehabilitation with MLB franchise Red Sox, who also fall under the umbrella of Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group.

Sturridge is not yet scheduled for a return to first-team action, with England's Euro 2016 qualifiers against San Marino and Switzerland early next month coming too soon for a comeback, but he is said to be targeting Liverpool's first game back from the international break - against Manchester United on September 12 - as a date for his potential return.

Scans have revealed no break in Jordan Henderson's foot, meanwhile, after he played through the 1-0 win over Bournemouth with an injury, but the club captain remains a doubt to face Arsenal on Monday night.

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Tiago Ilori determined to win Liverpool first-team place

Tiago Ilori: Liverpool defender has spent last two seasons on loan

Liverpool defender Tiago Ilori has vowed to "do everything" to achieve his "number one objective" of playing for the Reds' first team.

The Portugal Under-21 international joined the Reds for £7million in 2013 from Sporting Lisbon but has spent the last two seasons on loan at Granada and Bordeaux.

Now he is targeting a place in Brendan Rodgers' first-team squad.

"I want to play for Liverpool. I don't want to be in Liverpool just to be sitting around," the 22-year-old told the Liverpool Echo after playing a half for the U21 side in the 'mini-derby' against Everton on Wednesday.

"My objective is the same as every other player, we all want to play so everyone's going to fight for their place.

"I joined Liverpool two seasons ago to play for Liverpool, that is my number one objective so I'm going to do everything to make that happen."

An injury sustained at the European U21 Championship prevented Ilori from joining Liverpool's summer tour and the defender is desperate to make up for lost time.

"I haven't played for a few months so the most important thing for me was to get back into action," Ilori said.

"It was frustrating to get injured but at the same time I hadn't had a holiday for two years and you need some time off, so it came at the right time."

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