Liverpool rejected Jurgen Klopp’s request to keep James Milner just six months before the manager announced his departure from Anfield.
Milner joined the club in 2015 and proved essential during Klopp’s eight-year tenure, helping secure six major trophies, including the Premier League and Champions League titles.
Although his starting appearances dwindled in later seasons—he made only seven league starts in his final year—Klopp valued Milner’s influence in the dressing room and pushed to extend his contract past the summer of 2023. Club officials declined, prompting Milner to depart as a free agent to Brighton and Hove Albion at the end of the 2022-23 campaign.
Klopp Praises Milner’s Leadership
Klopp described his relationship with Milner as both a pleasure and a challenge. “A pleasure and a challenge. In the same moment it means a pleasure because of his exceptional attitude, really,” Klopp reflected. “I think for a lot of experienced players you use from time to time the word ‘role model’. But Millie is the role model, how he puts himself pretty much in place to be every day 100 per cent ready.”
He added, “It’s a pure example; absolutely outstanding. [It was] a challenge because especially in the beginning everything was alright when he was starting, but when he didn’t start then that was a bit tricky. I never saw a bigger mood change in an instant! Similar to Lucas Leiva, I would say. But he played a lot of games so he didn’t have that problem now too often, but no, really, really, really good.”
Milner’s Take on the Decision
Milner acknowledged Klopp’s desire to retain him but noted the club’s final call. “It’s all good because the manager wanted to keep me—which as a player is what you want,” Milner stated. “Obviously the club decided a different way. In my head it felt like it could be a good time, so I’m content with how it’s all come about.”
He continued, “It was probably about three weeks ago that I heard from the club. Because I hadn’t heard anything, in my own mind I had probably decided myself that I would be going. I will continue to play football, so yes I could be back in front of the Kop potentially. It’s an option.”
Recent Developments
Milner’s Anfield farewell preceded Klopp’s January 2024 exit announcement by six months. After nearly nine years in charge, Klopp stepped down at season’s end due to exhaustion.
Today, Klopp serves as head of football at Red Bull, while 40-year-old Milner remains active in the Premier League. This week, he equaled Gareth Barry’s record of 653 top-flight appearances, substituting in Brighton’s 1-0 loss to Aston Villa.
Milner now faces a return to Anfield as Brighton meets Liverpool in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday evening.
