James Milner: Get your head in the game
Hone your visualisation skills to ensure that you’re ready for kick-off, says Liverpool’s utility man
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/m628f5sX8voyGijz3uTE9h.png)
“Every week I prepare properly for my match, but I lose focus on the morning of the game. Is there anything I can do to change this?”
Christie Murray, via Twitter
James Milner says:
“Don’t think about the game constantly. It’s important to get the balance right. Two days before the game, think about who you’re playing against.
If you know you’re playing at right-back and you’ll be facing someone like Eden Hazard, get his habits in your mind – the sort of runs he makes; which foot he uses.
I visualise possible situations. For example, if my opponent is always trying to get onto his left foot, I’ll try to force him onto his right.
If I’m on the left wing, I picture what I’m going to do with the ball – if it’s coming at me I might either try to fling it round the corner first time, or take on the full-back.
If visualising the game isn’t your thing, you still need a way to get your mind on it. Just make sure you get your sleep the night before.
Some players mess around right up until kick-off. They get nervous, so they switch off until it’s time and then – bang! – they’re ready to go.”
James Milner wears Nike Magista Opus boots, available at nike.com
For more football tips see:
Top five tips for football visualisation
Rooney: Big match preparation
Clint Dempsey: mental preparation
Gary Neville: Become a master of mentality
Michael Ballack: Coping with pressure
Thierry Henry: My pre-match rituals
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack