In Milner’s lengthy career, a new chapter is coming to an end. He is used to saying goodbye, but given his experience at Anfield, this one might be particularly bittersweet.
At Liverpool, Millie was a dependable leader, a demanding dressing room figure, and Jurgen Klopp‘s go-to man. He even kept us entertained during lockdown, proving to be everything but Mr. Boring by dryly conveying his Yorkshire wit and self-awareness.
Although eight years have passed quickly, the Reds will be happy they pursued the 29-year-old midfielder back then.
Perfect timing and location
In 2015, Milner had plenty of options because Arsenal was also interested in signing him. He was out of contract with Man City and searching for a new place to call home.
Nevertheless, he decided to go to Anfield. Brendan Rodgers’ future was in doubt, Steven Gerrard had left, and it was yet another season without Champions League play, all of which put the team in peril.
At the time, City offered a contract that was more attractive, but his resentment about not getting more playing time was building, and Liverpool offered an opportunity.
A free agent with winning experience was obviously valued at the moment, and the club naturally extended an appealing deal. This continued to hold true in the years that followed.
He was elected vice-captain by Rodgers after only a short time, only a few weeks, in fact, and that title has remained throughout his eight years with the team.
Back in 2015, when Rodgers made the announcement, he remarked, “He’s got big character and a big mentality, and I felt we needed that in the team to the extent that he will be the vice-captain.”
He was the Reds’ penalty taker in his first season, and he started 43 of the 63 games, nine for Rodgers and 34 for Klopp.
Milner had gotten his wish of consistent playing time, but his reputation as a versatile player would come in handy the next year, when he was used at left-back.
He had a funny parallel for Klopp when he was initially asked to take on the post the season before because it was far from his preferred position.
“Alberto Moreno was injured, and the manager gave me a choice: did I want to play at left-back or right-back?” FourFourTwo and Milner recalled together.
“My response was, ‘That’s like asking which one of these guys do you want to spend a night with your missus?!'” He probably didn’t understand it because his English at the time wasn’t very excellent.
However, being the consummate professional that he is, he gave the position his best and participated in all but two league games that season, scoring seven goals and handing out four assists across all competitions.
After playing defence for a season, Klopp praised Milner as “a new midfield player,” which infuriated some fans. Nevertheless, Milner played in 47 of the Reds’ 56 games and contributed an EU-record eight assists as they advanced to the Champions League final.
There wouldn’t be a defining moment, but Milner once more demonstrated why he was Mr. Reliable: he didn’t need to be showy; he just got the job done.
Finished the set
Milner would help Liverpool win six different awards over the course of the following four seasons, completing his own collection.
He participated in all but one of the matches for the club’s sixth European Cup as they won Ol’ Big Ears.
He played 22 times and scored a crucial penalty against Leicester to help the team win its 19th league title. His ability to remain composed under pressure was crucial to the team’s record-breaking season.
During the same season, he also contributed to the Super Cup and Club World Cup victories.
Milner has been deployed less frequently since then, with Klopp preferring turning to a reliable player to close off games or stop the momentum.
Since the beginning of the 2020–21 season, he has made 117 appearances, 73 of which have been as a substitute. Despite this, he has consistently made near to or more than 40 appearances during each of his eight campaigns.
The manager has not shied away from referring to him as a vital asset because of his dependability and presence both on and off the pitch.
At the beginning of May, Klopp expressed his regret, saying, “He knows how highly I value him, he’s an incredible part of the team, and I would have loved to work together with him even longer.”
Without James Milner, “nothing would have happened in the past seven and a half years.”
There is a missed opportunity in not keeping the veteran around to assist in the development of the club’s young players, as Klopp had hoped, but at 37, he and the team don’t seem to be on the same page anymore.
There are still matches left in his legs, and with a new era at Anfield quickly approaching, it is not too difficult to understand that the time feels appropriate for this farewell.
Milner has played 331 times for the team, contributed 45 assists, 26 goals, and helped the team win six additional championships. He is one of, if not the best free agent signings in club history.
A player who unquestionably sacrificed all for the jersey, the poster child for free transfers, was dependable, selfless, a model professional, and unquestionably anything but dull.
We wish him luck as he moves on from Liverpool, but they are losing a significant influence in the locker room. Toast to James Milner with an open bottle of Ribena.