James Milner will not be sold by Liverpool after shutting down transfer talk and reminding manager Jurgen Klopp of his midfield capabilities

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Liverpool have ended the prospect of James Milner leaving in January after his impressive return to action in the Champions League.

Milner had not played since September 23 and had been increasingly frustrated with his lack of minutes until Jurgen Klopp restored him to Liverpool's starting line-up for what turned out to be a 7-0 drubbing of Maribor on Tuesday.

Although Liverpool's attack dominated the headlines, Milner's composed performance did not go unnoticed by his manager in Slovenia.

James Milner (right) has been replaced by Alberto Moreno (left) as Liverpool's No 1 left back

But 31-year-old Milner proved on Tuesday night that he can still do an excellent job in midfield

Milner captained Liverpool to a record-breaking 7-0 win at Maribor in the Champions League

Leicester enquired about Milner during the last transfer window but they — like a number of other clubs who stated their interest — were never given any encouragement that Liverpool would consider selling their vice-captain.

But Milner's situation has changed since then. He spent last season operating as Liverpool's first choice left back but Alberto Moreno's return to form, added to the £8million signing of Andrew Robertson from Hull, has closed one route into the team. Klopp has also preferred to use the combination of Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum and Emre Can as his first-choice midfield.

Had Milner continued to remain on the periphery, Liverpool expected more clubs to show their hand in the new year, with the intention of luring the 31-year-old away from Merseyside

But Klopp will not entertain any enquiries after Milner seized his chance to remind the German of his capabilities.

Milner was signed on a Bosman transfer by former manager Brendan Rodgers in the summer of 2015 and he signed a lucrative five-year contract after leaving Manchester City.

Reds manager Jurgen Klopp was impressed by Milner's display and has no plans to sell him

Leicester City, who sold Danny Drinkwater (above) to Chelsea in August, were keen on Milner

But ex-England ace looks set to remain at Anfield, where he has been since arriving in 2015