Darren Bent delivers grim verdict on 2 Liverpool players who are past their best

Darren Bent believes James Milner and Fabinho's best days are behind them as the pair continue to find their feet in what has been a tough 2022-23 campaign for Jurgen Klopp's side. 

Speaking to talkSPORT, as cited by HITC, Bent urged Liverpool to offload Milner this summer, while he also suggested that Fabinho is past his best as his 'legs have gone' in recent months.

"Milner, I know he is a good servant, but if they want to go to the next level, time to part ways.

“Fabinho has been so good for so long. He now looks like he hasn’t got the legs.”

With Liverpool set to take on Real Madrid in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash, Fabinho and Milner could both start in midfield as Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara are unavailable. The Reds travel to the Santiago Bernabeu to take on the reigning European champions and have a mountain to climb in Spain as they aim to overturn a 5-2 deficit.

ANFIELD WATCH VERDICT

Both players have struggled in the centre of the park this season, with Fabinho's alarming drop-off a major cause of concern for Klopp. Since joining the club in 2018, the Brazilian midfielder has been one of Liverpool's most consistent performers, but the 2022-23 campaign has arguably been the toughest season of his career as he currently looks like a shadow of his former self. However, after everything he's done for the club over the years, he's got enough credit left in the bank to try and turn things around next season.

On the other hand, Milner has not done much wrong this season, but with his deal expiring at the end of the season, it might be the right time to part ways with the experienced Englishman. That said, he's such an important figure in the dressing room, so if he were to stick around as a bit-part player, I don't think too many fans would be against it.