Milner: Ambition high for Liverpool
The ESPN FC panel discuss a few top players in the Premier League this season.
The ESPN FC panel respond to the reports suggesting James Milner rejected an offer from Manchester City.
ESPN FC’s Gabriele Marcotti talks James Milner’s recent move to Liverpool, and how his personality and versatility may have forced his move.
ESPN FC’s Craig Burley and Stewart Robson discuss what James Milner will bring to Liverpool’s midfield as he makes his way to Anfield on a free transfer for Manchester City.
ESPN FC’s Paul Mariner addresses Manchester City’s concerns in defence for next season, while Steve Nicol feels Manuel Pellegrini’s side need to place emphasis on a consistent centre back.
James Milner said that Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers was a major factor in his move to Anfield where he hopes to win “a trophy cabinet full of medals.”
The 29-year-old midfielder completed the short move across Lancashire from Manchester City this summer after his contract expired at the Etihad Stadium.
Milner had talks with City, who were keen to keep hold of him, while he was also linked with a move to Arsenal — two clubs who arguably have a greater chance of winning silverware than the Reds in the upcoming season.
But the England international decided to make the move to Liverpool and admits that Rodgers’ vision for him in the team was at the heart of the switch.
“He was a massive part, to be honest,” he told the club’s official website.
“The club doesn’t need a lot of selling about what a great club it is, with all the history, the support and the squad they have.
“But speaking to the manager and what his plans were for me, things I’ve heard about him from other players. I was speaking to Stevie [Gerrard] at England and people like that and what he said to me made me want to come and play for him straight away.”
He added: “I’ve been very fortunate to play for some massive clubs during my career so far and this is another one. It’s a great challenge for me.
“I want to play football and play more centrally if I can and that’s where the manager said he sees me playing. That’s a big thing for me coming to the later stages of my career.
“I’m not going to say the end of my career because I still feel I have plenty of football left in me. I want to play as much football as I can.
“When I’m sat at 45 and retired, I want to look back and see what I’ve done and that I’ve played games, rather than having come to the end of my career and tailed off.”
Milner burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old at Leeds and has gone on to become a two-time Premier League winner with 54 England caps to his name.
And the former Newcastle and Aston Villa man is now keen to bring his experience to a Liverpool squad largely built around youth.
“If you look at the squad here, there is a great mix of home-grown British players and foreign lads as well, but there’s also quite a lot of younger players in there,” he said.
“I’ve been lucky enough to be playing for maybe 13 years or something now, it makes me feel a bit older! But hopefully I can bring that experience to the squad and help those younger guys along.
“As I said, I’ve been fortunate enough to win trophies. Obviously Liverpool came so close a couple of years ago to winning the league and being up against them in that title run-in, it felt like the whole world wanted them to win the league.
“That shows the love for the club and the global respect for the team.
‘Hopefully, my experience can help us get into that position again. And if I can use the experience of winning trophies to help the younger guys, hopefully it can help get us over the line and win some silverware.”
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