Jurgen Klopp reportedly made an unsuccessful attempt to convince Liverpool to retain James Milner in 2023, with the former Reds midfielder revealing the one major regret he had from his time at Anfield.
Milner brought his remarkable 24-year Premier League career to an end last season. During his time in English football, he represented Leeds United, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion.
Liverpool and Brighton will meet at Anfield this Sunday, bringing together the last two clubs Milner represented. It is also the first season in 11 years that neither team has the experienced midfielder in its squad.
The Englishman joined Liverpool in 2015 under Brendan Rodgers and subsequently became one of Klopp’s most trusted players during the German manager’s eight-year spell at the club. He played an important role in Liverpool’s success, winning several major trophies, including the Premier League and Champions League.
Although Milner remained a valued member of the squad towards the end of his Liverpool career, he managed just seven starts during his final season at Anfield. Nevertheless, Klopp wanted the veteran midfielder to stay beyond the expiration of his contract in the summer of 2023.
Less than a year before announcing his own departure from Liverpool, Klopp reportedly appealed to the club’s hierarchy to offer Milner a new deal. However, the request was rejected, and the midfielder eventually moved to Brighton on a free transfer at the end of the 2022/23 season.
Milner explained that Klopp wanted him to remain at Anfield, but the club ultimately decided against extending his contract.
“It’s all good because the manager wanted to keep me, which as a player is what you want,” he explained.
“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. It was probably about three weeks ago that I heard from the club.”
He added that the lack of communication had already led him to consider leaving Liverpool, although he remained open to the possibility of returning to Anfield as an opponent.
Milner subsequently spent three seasons with Brighton, making 46 appearances for the Seagulls.
Despite collecting six major trophies during his Liverpool career, the former midfielder admitted that missing out on the Europa League title remained his biggest disappointment. Liverpool lost the 2016 final against Sevilla, denying him the opportunity to add another European honour to his collection.
“It would have been nice to win the Europa League final. We didn’t quite get over the line. Other than that, no [regrets],” Milner said before leaving Anfield.
He also explained that he was satisfied with his Liverpool journey because he had achieved so much during his time at the club.
Meanwhile, Milner added another remarkable achievement to his career last season by breaking the record for the most appearances in Premier League history.
He retired with 658 Premier League appearances, 903 club appearances, 61 England caps and 87 goals for club and country, cementing his reputation as one of English football’s most durable and accomplished players.
