Trying to determine a single moment that best encapsulates the Liverpool career of James Milner is almost as difficult as attempting to win the ball from the midfielder as he ushers it towards the corner flag to play out time on another victory. Milner’s experience and leadership qualities have made him a huge influence in the dressing room, particularly to younger players. And, of course, there’s the never-say-die attitude and relentless work-rate that saw him dig Liverpool out of a number of situations, most spectacularly a goalline clearance in a win over Bournemouth during the title-winning season.
Not for nothing has Milner featured in all bar one of the nine major finals during the Jurgen Klopp era, a player upon whom the Liverpool boss has continually relied and can claim six different major honours during his Anfield career.
But was there anything more the 37-year-old felt he could achieve as a Reds player?
James Milner said: “Not really. It would have been nice to win the Europa League final (against Sevilla in 2016). We didn’t quite get over the line. Other than that, no. That’s why I’m content on leaving this place, which isn’t easy. I think it’s probably very sad leaving here if you feel as if you’ve missed out or not achieved what you wanted. When I signed you look at Liverpool and the amount it has won in its history. And then when I signed, the draw of coming here was that the club had not been as successful in recent times. Can you start a new era? That was the aim. You don’t always hit your aims. To have a chance to win the league title after 30 years was the thing, and we were so desperate to deliver that. It was special. I would never say expected to do it but it would be nice to know leaving the club that was job well done. That’s what I wanted to happen.”
Nothing lasts forever. And while many had expected Milner to be handed another contract extension – he has featured in 42 games this season – the player only discovered earlier this month the club had decided it was time to move on.
James Milner said: “I found out about three weeks ago from the club. Obviously before that, with not hearing anything in my own mind I had probably decided myself it was the time that I would be going. In my own mind it’s been good because the manager wanted to keep me which as a player is what you want, and then obviously the club decided a different way. In my head it felt like it could be a good time as well (to leave). So I’m content with how it’s all come about. It’s sort of your own decision.”
Remarkable to think Milner didn’t cost a transfer fee when Klopp’s predecessor, Brendan Rodgers, put on a charm offensive to persuade the midfielder to make Anfield his next destination after leaving Manchester City in the summer of 2015. Although Rodgers was gone within a few months, Klopp kept Milner as vice-captain – and never saw any reason to change. Asked if his former boss has been in touch recently,
James Milner said: “No he hasn’t. It was a shame I didn’t get longer to work with Brendan. He is obviously a great manager and one of the reasons why I came. He is a great coach. It is never ideal when you sign for a club and then the manager leaves. The same thing happened at Newcastle when Sir Bobby left after a couple of games. Not ideal. You deal with it.”
For all the memorable moments that then followed at Liverpool, there is one that inevitably stands above all the rest.
James Milner said: “Barcelona is tough to beat. It’s the whole thing around it. The first leg we didn’t play badly but the result was massively in their favour. Then going to Newcastle having to win that and getting through it late to keep the title fight alive. Then the night before (Barcelona) Vinny K (Kompany) slices one in (for City against Leicester City) when 99% of the time he doesn’t. All that before the game, then playing a team with world-class experience with that deficit with players missing. That’s what was so special about that night. It was a whole club that contributed to that night. It was Liverpool – it was the fans, the stadium, a well-coached squad, players who hadn’t played much that season to produce the performance we did. That was obviously a turning point. It was our first trophy (Liverpool went on to beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in the final) as a team and is the most important one to start. Losing the Champions League final and League Cup final before, Europa a couple of seasons before that, then 97 points and not winning the league. You don’t get a result in that Barcelona game then what do you do? You won’t have won anything. As well as how special it was on the night, that was the turning point and catalyst to go on and achieve what we did.”
And Milner’s playing career won’t end this summer. Brighton have been strongly linked with a move, while Milner, who has racked up 618 Premier League appearances, has one eye on the all-time record of 653 set by good friend Gareth Barry.
James Milner said: “People keep mentioning it so it is in my head and obviously it’s not far off and it would be a nice one to get.”
That, then, could mean he is back at Anfield next season.
James Milner said: “Yes, I could be back in front of the Kop potentially (with another Premier League team) – yes, that’s an option. I am fortunate to have a few options. The drive is still there even though I’m content with what I’ve done. I could always do more. Coaching and management is an option in the future, but day-to-day football is interesting football isn’t it? Some days you think I’d love a go at management and then other days you see a manager sign a new contract and six weeks later they get sacked and you think ‘um, maybe the golf course is a better option!’. We’ll see. Doing my badges has helped me learn, and working with Jurgen I have been fortunate to be able to learn so much for my development as a player and football knowledge. I’ve been very fortunate to play under some unbelievable managers – some poor ones as well and sometimes it’s important to learn off them as well in terms of to learn what not to do! And playing for as long as I have – and with the players that I have played alongside – it does seem a shame not to use that knowledge that I’ve been lucky enough to accumulate.”
And when assessing just what made Liverpool so special,
James Milner says: “You feel part of something here and I feel lucky to have been in that dressing room with that group of guys. I do not feel sad. I feel content with the run I have had and what we have achieved.”
Few if any have contributed in such a wide-ranging manner to Liverpool success than Milner. The best free transfer in Anfield history.
