THE QUIET MAN ‘MILLIE’ UNDERPINNING THE REDS
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IT HAS not prompted the same headlines as Mo Salah but there’s another Liverpool contract situation which has yet to be resolved.
Not that the figure at the centre of it is causing any waves, he never has done in a career spanning 20 seasons, earning the respect of everyone fortunate enough to have worked with him.
James Milner will once again, on his return to Manchester City, be an understated piece of the compelling action between the Premier League’s top two.
One thing that can be shouted from the rooftops is that Milner, who left the Etihad in 2015 for
nothing, must be one of the best free transfers of all time.
And if boss Jurgen Klopp has his way the Anfield fairy tale will continue for another season.
So far there has been no confirmation of an offer for the 36-year-old who made his Premier League debut for Leeds United at the age of 16 and has since averaged 40 games a season. “Without Millie a lot of what we have achieved wouldn’t have been possible. He is great in the dressing room,” said Klopp.
If Liverpool pass up the opportunity to extend his stay there will be no shortage of offers with Leeds amongst those monitoring the situation. Klopp can thank his predecessor Brendan Rodgers for his bromance with Milner, in persuading the player to join Liverpool on leaving City.
Rodgers recalled: “It was a big decision for James. It was obvious that while he had won the
Premier League and other trophies at City his ambition was to win the Champions League. He felt he would have a better opportunity to win it at Liverpool than at City.
“I only ended up working with him for a short time but you could see his professionalism, intensity and focus. It was great to see his joy and happiness when he did win the Champions League.”