With transfer links coming thick and fast following the end of Liverpool’s pursuit of Jude Bellingham, many fans’ thoughts have turned to how the Reds midfield will be made up next season.
One man now expected to join the exodus is vice-captain James Milner. Sky’s North West-based correspondent Melissa Reddy wrote this week that a transfer to high-flying Brighton & Hove Albion is ‘all but done’. Jürgen Klopp had expressed a desire to keep the former England man for another season, but it looks as if he will not be getting his wish.
On the latest episode of our Journo Insight Show, we asked goal.com’s Neil Jones for his reflections on James Milner.
Neil Jones: Liverpool Are More Likely To Sign Mac Allister Than Ugarte!
Neil said: “I’m not surprised he’s leaving Liverpool. I’m a bit surprised he’s going to Brighton. If you’d have said six Premier League clubs are in for Milner, I probably wouldn’t have had Brighton down as one of them, just because of the model of the club.
“There’s potential to maybe go into coaching. Maybe he feels like the pathway there – coaching, scouting, or executive.
“From a Liverpool point of view, obviously he’s going to be hugely missed around the club. There are times when you see James Milner on the side of the pitch coming on and you think, ‘Good, that’s a good decision.’
“What a servant he’s been for Liverpool. Eight years since he joined – won everything, and played a huge part.
“He’ll be remembered fantastically. The Villa game at Anfield – his former club – I hope he gets a fantastic ovation. I hope he gets on the pitch, and I hope he gets a fantastic ovation from Anfield. If and when he comes back with Brighton, his name will get cheered as soon as it’s read out. He’s a modern-day Liverpool great.”
Redmen Reacts
With two midfielders certain to leave Liverpool on a free transfer this summer, and the club likely to be playing Europa League football next season, there was an argument for keeping James Milner as the ultimate steady head to come in against weaker opposition and give a first-choice midfielder an opportunity to rest his legs. As one of the most experienced players in English football, Milner could be an ideal mentor for promising players such as Stefan Bajčetić.
Brighton are currently playing some of the best football in the Premier League and are an exciting proposition. The move gives Milner the opportunity to link up with former teammate Adam Lallana, and there is every chance the pair could find themselves in coaching or administrative positions in the near future. One of the all-time great free transfers and the ultimate servant, the redoubtable Yorkshireman should be given a great send-off. Maybe we will see him at the AXA again one day.
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