Rush The Kop
Fansided

James Milner deserves immense credit for his Liverpool career

By Joseph Copeland

Liverpool's English midfielder James Milner acknowledges the fans after the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on May 20, 2023. (Photo by PETER POWELL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PETER POWELL/AFP via Getty Images)
Liverpool's English midfielder James Milner acknowledges the fans after the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on May 20, 2023. (Photo by PETER POWELL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PETER POWELL/AFP via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

When James Milner joined Liverpool Football Club on a free transfer in the summer of June 2015 after 5 years plying his trade for Manchester City, it was seen as a shrewd bit of business. However, you would be hard pressed to find many people that saw the next 8 years coming.

Within two months of arriving at Anfield, and without playing a competitive match, Milner was appointed as a Vice-Captain. This would be a precursor to the outstanding leadership that he would bring from his first day to his final day this summer.

His professionalism would become a necessity and a staple for Jurgen Klopp’s side that was not yet the juggernaut that we would come to know and love. The beginning of pre-season fitness tests became a running joke that nobody could match Milner and his elite level of body maintenance.

Milner hit the ground running for Liverpool as his first season saw him score 7 goals with 15 assists in all competitions as the Reds fell in the 2016 Europa League Final.

During the 2018 campaign, Milner became the first player to record 9 assists in a single Champions League season. It might be easy to forget his prowess going forward because of his unrivaled positional versatility that saw him play in roles that varied from winger, central mid, fullback and on rare occasions, even center back.

This type of adaptability in his game made him a crucial piece to Klopp’s puzzle as he could be plugged and play with little fear he would put a foot wrong, such was his ability to understand the game.

When Liverpool won their 6th Champions League crown by defeating Tottenham 2-0 in 2019, Milner came on as a substitute in the Final. This was his first taste of European glory.

MADRID, SPAIN – JUNE 01: James Milner of Liverpool lifts the trophy during the UEFA Champions League Final between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on June 1, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – JUNE 01: James Milner of Liverpool lifts the trophy during the UEFA Champions League Final between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on June 1, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /

This would open the trophy floodgate for Liverpool as the following season saw Milner appear in 31 league matches scoring 5 and assisting 4 as the Reds finally ended their drought for Premier League immortality. This season also saw Milner start the UEFA Super Cup win over Chelsea and make an appearance against Flamengo as Liverpool won the Club World Cup.

As the Reds ascended the football power ladder, the overall quality of the squad continued getting stronger and stronger. As a result, Milner saw his regular playing time diminish with each passing year.

Yet, he still showed up on Day 1 of every season fit and raring to go. His wealth of playing experience was invaluable as he saw the game more clearly than most. His ability to maintain such a high standard on and off the pitch was rewarded with his 800th appearance at senior club level in early 2022 as he came on as a sub against Inter Milan.

The trophies did not stop as Liverpool secured a domestic cup double in 2022 as they won the League Cup and FA Cup in penalty shootouts over Chelsea. Milner scored the first penalty for Liverpool in both shootouts.

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 27: James Milner of Liverpool scores his sides first penalty in the penalty shootout during the Carabao Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on February 27, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 27: James Milner of Liverpool scores his sides first penalty in the penalty shootout during the Carabao Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on February 27, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images) /

Even as Milner got deeper and deeper into his thirties, his passion for the game never wavered. It would have been understandable for a 35, 36 and 37 year old Milner to take his foot off the gas. Quite the opposite happened as he still was the fittest man and was always available to step in at any moment.

While his technical quality did slightly dip at the end of his Liverpool career, his mind and professionalism were as sharp as ever, even to the last.

An overview of his Liverpool career will tell you he won 7 trophies in 8 years. He donned the Reds jersey 323 times across all competitions, winning 202 of them for a cool 62.5% winning percentage as a Red.

During his illustrious career, he played his most club games for Liverpool. His 26 goals and 46 assists for Liverpool are also the most he had for any team. As he rapidly closes in on age 40, the former England international still wants to play at the highest level.

This summer he agreed to do just that as he is joining Brighton on a free transfer. There is no doubt he will bring instant leadership from Day 1 to the Seagulls.

Brighton will be his 7th English club. However, when fans of football think of James Milner they should only associate him with one club and that is Liverpool. He has been a dutiful and loyal servant for nearly a decade of unmitigated success for the club.

When he looks back at his time here, it shall only be with fond memories and immense pride. He absolutely earned it.