EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL
Wednesday May 18 2016 THE natural-born winner in James Milner pushes him to argue vindication for moving to Liverpool will only come with silverware.
Yet when he considers the finals he has earned only to be denied over his recent career, he might be more inclined to acknowledge last summer’s switch from Manchester City is already justified.
There were three for Milner during his time at the Etihad, but only one substitute appearance and a fleeting cameo at that. To this day, the memory of a certain showpiece leaves him offering only a shrug of the shoulders and a rueful smile.
“A couple of times I had played every round so thought I might play in the final. But the manager picks the team he thinks is right and that’s that,” he said.
“The time we pipped Liverpool to the title at City, I started in five of six games and then missed out on the final one when we actually won it.
“The one that stung me the most was when we had won the trophy and the manager came up to me and said ‘I should have played you,’ but he never did.”
“I thought that was a bit pointless – I don’t know what you’re supposed to do with that. That one probably hurt me the most, but I’m not going to say who it was,” said Milner.
At a guess Manuel Pellegrini cuts a more likely apologist than Roberto Mancini, which points to the 3-1 League Cup final success over Sunderland in 2014 as the game in question.
Yet Milner refuses to buckle and focuses instead on this evening’s Europa League final against Sevilla and a night when he could finally have it all.
Both Liverpool and player came close in February with City – ironically – prevailing in the Capital One Cup final, but here in Basle they are intent on crossing the line.
Gateway into the Champions League next season is a sizeable incentive for whoever prevails in St Jakob-Park, but the real prize is the trophy itself.
“The funny thing is that I don’t think any of us have really thought about the Champions League. It’s all about winning that trophy,” said Milner, who also lost the 2010 League Cup against Manchester United having opened the scoring for Aston Villa.
“I’m desperate to add to the list of trophies that have been won at this football club. That’s why I came here. It’s why all the boys came here. This club has a great history of winning trophies.
“You walk into the reception at Melwood and all the honours are listed there. I want to ensure the club has to get someone in over the summer to change that number. “We want to add to the great history of this club and win trophies. That would make it a successful season. Being in the Champions League would be an added bonus. “When I moved club I said it was because I thought I had a chance of winning trophies. “Obviously people would have thought I’d have more chance of doing that at City, but we’ve given ourselves two chances this year. We fell short the first time, so it’s important we get time.”
Liverpool’s backroom staff received text messages from their counterparts at City bemoaning the loss of one of the most popular players at the club when the England international left. Amidst the big name signings at the Etihad, the supporters also appreciated the sheer hard graft put in by Milner in whatever position he was played.
The ‘Boring Milner’ stereotype is far removed from what he is actually like in private and perceptions are proving misplaced elsewhere, too. Liverpool’s it this attacking armoury is seen as being encapsulated by Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge, and yet Milner has been directly involved in 22 goals (14 of which have been assists).
His know-how and experience has been complemented by end product and if outside of Anfield his image remains that of utility player, then adulation has been forthcoming closer to home.
“I wanted to hit the ground running, but things didn’t quite click, hopefully I’m showing my best form now and things will keep improving,” he said. “A big reason I came was to play more