Milner: Van Dijk gives me stick for being old & I try not to drink much Ribena!

The experienced Liverpool star says he is not feeling his age, but certain team-mates at Anfield are eager to remind him of his advancing years

James Milner admits to receiving stick over his age from Liverpool team-mate Virgil van Dijk, but the 33-year-old believes he still has plenty left in the tank as he endeavours to earn a new contract at Anfield.

Milner told talkSPORT: “To be honest I feel fine, I feel the same.

“I’m waiting for that day when we do a session and I feel it a bit harder than the boys.

“It’s always nice when I’m asking the young lads if I’m finding a hard session tough and they’re agreeing with me. I don’t know, they might be doing that just to make me feel better!

“Virgil gives me plenty of stick – that’s what one of the celebrations last season was about [his ‘old man’ celebration after scoring against Cardiff back in April].

“He’s always joking. When there’s Premiership Years or a game in black and white on the TV in the treatment room, he’ll say, ‘Milly, what number are you?’

“It’s good fun, but I feel really good at the moment. I feel no different to how I have been.

“I’ll keep working hard, keep pushing and keep contributing as long as I can.”

Milner has been a model professional throughout a distinguished playing career which has delivered Premier League title glory at Manchester City and a Champions League crown with Liverpool.

He prides himself on his dedication to his craft, even if his apparently ‘boring’ approach can see him become a figure of fun at times.

“I’ve always tried to look after myself as well as I can in the gym and with eating and drinking,” Milner added.

“I’ve never touched alcohol. I don’t have anything against it but early on I made that decision.

“And making sure I don’t have too much Ribena as well, that’s important!”