James Milner's presence is invaluable to Liverpool.
Since joining from Manchester City on a free transfer, the Englishman has helped deliver the Premier League and Champions League to Anfield, and Jurgen Klopp recognises his importance.
Now 36 years-old, Milner has a contract which is due to expire at the end of the current campaign, but Klopp reportedly wants to keep him on Merseyside.
“There are talks," he said. "I am in talks, the club is in talks with Millie, we will see.”
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Despite his age, Milner has no desire to retire anytime soon. "He is desperate to play on and I understand it," said Klopp.
"You should extend your career as long as you can, if you can play football better than other things. He will play football next year definitely.”
Considering Milner's interest in getting on the pitch, Liverpool would need to play him fairly often rather than keeping him on the bench as an unused substitute every week.
The Reds would have to open up enough space in the squad for him to gain minutes, which could be tricky in his usual role given the club's supposed interest in signing midfield reinforcements this summer.
As a result, Neco Williams could be integral to Milner's future. The Welsh full-back is currently on loan at Fulham, and he's impressing under Marco Silva.
Just 20 years-old, Williams has plenty of potential and he's performed well for his national team over the past 12 months, but Trent Alexander-Arnold is Klopp's favoured right-back and that is unlikely to change.
Williams is young enough to start playing more often, but that seems unrealistic at Anfield. A permanent transfer could be on the cards for the Welshman this summer, which would allow Milner to fill in as a backup option for Alexander-Arnold.
The Scouse defender is a regular performer, but he can't play every minute of the season.
Milner has played as a full-back for Klopp on a number of occasions and if Williams leaves the club, he could be deployed on the right more often.
Ultimately, if Milner decides to stay, he could spend the majority of his next contract as a right-back rather than a central midfielder.
