Liverpool hold preliminary talks with Milner over a new deal (Mail)

Liverpool have held preliminary talks with James Milner over a new deal as Jurgen Klopp reiterated the veteran midfielder's importance to his squad, reports Mail.

Milner, who arrived on a Bosman from Manchester City in 2015, is out of contract next June but his future has been put into sharper perspective as he will be free to speak to foreign clubs in 95 days. Such is his superb athletic condition, he will not be short of offers.

Klopp, though, is a huge fan of Milner and described the 33-year-old as being 'on fire' following his performance in the 2-0 Carabao Cup win at MK Dons on Wednesday; the prospect of potentially losing such an influential performer could potentially be unsettling but his manager is relaxed.

Conversations have taken place between Liverpool Sporting Director Michael Edwards and Milner's representatives, which is significant progress from July when the former England international revealed on the club's pre-season tour of the United States that he 'hadn't heard anything'.

Liverpool do not have a history of handing out new contracts to players over the age of 30 but Milner could yet prove to be an exception to the rule, with Klopp saying: 'He is incredibly important for us and that is how it is.

'It should not be a surprise he is like, this. It is an important time for him of course and we will see how we deal with that. Nobody is nervous. We are in talks constantly but there is nothing for the public at the moment.'

Milner joined the exclusive club of those who have made 500 Premier League appearances but it is not beyond the realms of possibility that he could one day threaten Gareth Barry's record of 653 top flight games, such is his attitude to work.