Liverpool turned to a familiar face in the latter stages of their 2-0 victory over Inter Milan last night. James Milner was brought on to see the result out following Mo Salah’s goal. That late cameo was the 36-year-olds 800th appearance in club football, in a career spanning 20 years.
Jurgen Klopp told the press this week that he has asked the club to open contract negotiations with the Yorkshireman.
Despite his advancing years (in footballing terms!) Milner has still played a fair amount of minutes this season. He is teetotal and famously extremely fit, so his manager sees no reason why he cannot continue putting in good performances in a red shirt for at least another season.
On the latest episode of our Journo Insight Show, we asked Goal.com’s Neil Jones whether he thought Milner would be extending his stay at Anfield.
Neil said:
“As far as I’m aware, Liverpool haven’t made an offer to James Milner. Whatever you think of him, if you know his character and you know what type of person he is, there’s never a game where James Milner thinks ‘You know what, I shouldn’t be starting for Liverpool’. I think he’ll have options. As far as I know from people around the player and the club, there has been no formal offer. I think there are a few things in play. He gets games! He’s averaging 40 games over the last 20 years. Some of them are off the bench, he’s still there. He’s always on the bench if he’s not starting. He started at Chelsea, Tottenham as well. As much as you say ‘he’s past his best’, he’s still more than useful to have in the squad. There’s a wariness of Jurgen, moreso than Liverpool, of just waving that off.”
Redmen Reacts
Liverpool are still in a very strong position whichever way this situation pans out. If Milner leaves in the summer, he will be given a great send off and will be remembered as a Liverpool legend. If he stays for another year, he will no doubt be in great physical condition, and will still be able to put in good performances. The likes of Sami Hyypia and Dietmar Hamann played 16 and 17 league games respectively in their final year as a Red. Provided ‘Boring James’ is happy to take on a more peripheral role, there is no harm in keeping him around for another year.
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Such is the man’s work ethic; he may decide to leave in search of club that can offer him 30+ starts next season. If he does move on, that will free up a slot in the Premier League and Champions League squads that could be filled by an incoming midfielder.
Either way, he is an excellent role model for younger players and should be offered a coaching role when he finally does hang up his boots. In 2039.
