As opposed to a speed merchant who just gets to the byline and then smashes in a cross with his left that comes to nothing?
Or someone who'll lay it off to Firmino who in turn will lay it off to Mane who in turn will smash it into the back of the net. Not to mention that he's our best penalty taker, the only one you'd want stepping up if we get one in the last minute of stoppage time. And the defending bit. He does that better. Let's not forget that part too.
Penalty taking is a critical difference-maker? Really? 5 penalties this season warrants a starting place?
Is he better at the defending part? Really? He has been part of our defence in all but 2 of our league matches including all of our defeats. He doesn't have the recovery speed against teams that set up to counter especially.
You imagine a series of passes initiated by Milner? Through 2 banks of 4? Really? I can more readily imagine him isolated and getting frustrated and chipping a cross into the keeper's waiting arms. A chip so telegraphed that the uncrowded keeper can catch and throw, almost in one motion to start the counter. I've seen those charitable crosses from Milner a bit too often to forget. And so have opposition managers, according to how much time and space they give him by design.
Moreno's crosses can be poor choices, but they are lower and harder. And instead of a penalty taker we'd finally have a left-footer taking corners and free kicks when that is preferable. Is Milner a threat to score from open play? Moreno is much more a threat.
Defensively, Moreno has recovery pace to attack and not get so caught out when we are countered against. And that is not in isolation. Will Gini have to hesitate to join in the attack because the wing is wide open with both Moreno and Coutinho caught upfield?
Milner is not a terrible player, but let's not imagine him being something he is not. Against a team like Burnley, is he really the type of left wingback we need? As the season wears on he is not showing to be that player.