Newcastle vs Liverpool: James Milner reveals Reds have discovered belief again under Jurgen Klopp

Seen from the north bank of the Tyne, Liverpool’s results look horribly ominous. 3-1 at Chelsea, 4-1 at Manchester City, 6-1 at Southampton. This weekend is the 107th anniversary of Newcastle United’s heaviest home defeat, 9-1 against Sunderland. Such has been Jürgen Klopp’s impact that a repetition of that humiliation seems more than just the stuff of a passing anecdote.

Nobody imagined it would begin like this. If Klopp is a funky, Brian Clough-like figure he has begun vastly more spectacularly. When Clough arrived at the City Ground in January 1975 with the quip “I am leaving the human race to rejoin the rat race”, the results were not nearly as impressive as the press conferences. Clough thought Nottingham Forest fortunate not to have been relegated in his first five months.

It is even more impressive than Klopp’s beginnings at a near-bankrupt Borussia Dortmund that began with a 3-2 win at Bayer Leverkusen, a 1-1 draw against the Bundesliga champions, Bayern Munich, and a comeback from three goals down to draw the derby with Schalke.

In the eyes of James Milner, who was signed by Brendan Rodgers to try to fill the void left by Steven Gerrard’s departure, the reason may be that the Liverpool Klopp inherited were not actually that bad. What they lacked and craved was confidence.

“I was disappointed for Brendan. He is a top manager who came so close to glory. But that is football. Things change quickly,” said Milner. “It is not only the fans’ belief that we can change things that is important, it is the players’ own belief.

“At times this season I have seen a talented group of players who don’t realise how good we are and how good we can be and who have struggled at times with belief.”

Belief comes as standard with Klopp. On his arrival in Dortmund, he promised “a full-on spectacle”, although on the training ground at Melwood, he has not tried to rip up everything Rodgers left behind.

“Coming into a new club and one with the history of Liverpool as well as coming to a new country is not easy,” said Milner. “I think it is probably the hardest job getting people to take to you straight away.

“He has got everyone onside very quickly. He is a likeable character. He has changed things within the team, training schedules and things like that, but he has done it the right way. You can’t just come in and start blasting and changing everything right away.”

The sessions at Melwood appear similar to those he oversaw at Dortmund’s sleek, high-tech base in the city’s leafier suburbs – defending with the ball at your feet, quick switching and above all pressing. At Dortmund, they were frequently interrupted while Klopp or a member of his training team made a suggestion.

“I am enjoying myself because everything is here for us to do well,” said Milner. “There’s a new manager coming in, a new stadium being done, a young squad but with experienced players and an amazing fan base.”

There are similarities to when Milner made his first transfer, from Leeds, who were turning into the financial basket base Dortmund might have become but for Klopp.

His new club, Newcastle, had a young squad, had just finished upgrading St James’ Park to a 52,000-seat arena, while the manager who bought him, Sir Bobby Robson, was sacked shortly after Milner’s arrival. The passion of the Geordie Nation has never been in question.

There was also a cup semi-final in Milner’s first season, although it would be something of a surprise if the scenes around Anfield for the League Cup encounter with Stoke next month matched those around the Millennium Stadium for Newcastle’s FA Cup clash a decade ago.

Newcastle had just been knocked out of the Uefa Cup in Lisbon and had flown direct to Cardiff to face Manchester United. “I will never forget the scenes, they were incredible,” said Milner. “There were fans hanging off lamp-posts, whole streets rammed black and white and it took us 15 minutes longer than it should have done. We only just arrived on time.”

Milner doesn’t mention what happened next but for those who have studied Newcastle, there is no need. Once more the supporters’ passion was not matched on the pitch. Newcastle were destroyed 4-1.

If you want to see the essential difference between Newcastle and Liverpool, you will find it spelt out for you in Melwood’s foyer, where the major trophies brought back to Anfield are detailed. There are 44.

“It is a bit easier for Liverpool fans when you consider the trophies they have won since Newcastle won one,” said Milner. “But I remember going to the Far East with Newcastle, seeing the hype around Alan Shearer and watching how he dealt with it. He was an absolute god out there.”

As Liverpool’s results have improved and the jaws have dropped ever lower, Klopp has been trying to dampen expectation that can easily froth over on Merseyside.

In the wake of the evisceration of Manchester City, he mentioned Liverpool’s defending had been poor. When reminded how well he had done in his first 10 matches, Klopp replied that he could not forget “that f****** loss to Crystal Palace”.

His players are less concerned: “We want to put in performances that make fans get carried away – just as long as nobody in the dressing room does,” said Milner.

“Liverpool’s recent history has not been littered with as many trophies but that is something I would like to contribute towards. That was one of the reasons I joined Manchester City because they had not won anything for a long time. I was in at the start of that cycle and I want to do the same at Liverpool. I want to contribute to that. I haven’t come here just to play.”