The next James Milner is here and he's exactly what Liverpool need

Liverpool’s search for a modern-day utility man may already have a solution, and his name is Alexander Prass. The 24-year-old Austrian has quietly emerged at Hoffenheim as a low-maintenance, high-reliability operator in the exact image of the departed Reds stalwart James Milner, and Anfield chiefs are taking notice.

Milner’s eight-year stint on Merseyside was defined by understated excellence: no fuss, no frills, just a relentless willingness to fill whichever gap Jurgen Klopp required. Right-back, left-back, wide midfield or the engine room—Milner’s football IQ and competitive edge made him the emergency fix long before the transfer window opened. Even at 40, he remains a Premier League regular with Brighton, testament to the enduring value of tactical intelligence and professional diligence.

That template is precisely what Arne Slot’s rebuild demands. Liverpool’s midfield overhaul is well documented, yet the squad still lacks a plug-and-play operator capable of covering full-back zones without compromising midfield depth. Enter Prass, a player trusted by Christian Ilzer at both Sturm Graz and now Hoffenheim, a coach happy to deploy him anywhere the match-day puzzle demands.

Prass’s most recent audition came against RB Leipzig. He opened the contest as a central midfielder, drifted to right-wing during the second period, and finished at left-back, collecting seven ground-duel wins and drawing four fouls—both game highs. Hoffenheim ultimately fell short, but Prass’s chameleon-like display drew immediate comparisons to Milner’s man-of-all-trades prime.

Signed for €12 million in 2022, the Austrian is hardly a household name, yet that anonymity keeps his valuation sensible. Even if Hoffenheim seek to double their money, a €24 million outlay for a player who can spell Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold while also challenging for minutes in midfield represents shrewd accounting in today’s inflated market. The added bonus: Dominik Szoboszlai would no longer be forced into emergency wide-defensive duties, freeing Liverpool’s creative hub to focus solely on dictating play.

Prass is not flashy, but Liverpool already possess headline stars. What they require is the next James Milner—uncomplaining, tactically literate, and ready to fill the cracks that decide titles. In Alexander Prass, the heir may have arrived right on time.