Why Liverpool must offer a new contract to James Milner
For the first time in recent memory, Liverpool fans have been joyous at the start of the season. But you can’t blame them for those celebrations, can you? Four wins in their first four Premier League matches is the perfect start every team looks for.
Although new signings like Naby Keita, Xhedran Shaqiri and Alisson have created a buzz, usual suspects Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino grabbed all the headlines with their goals and assists. But one player who was instrumental in all four of these wins was James Milner.
Milner, who currently earns wages in the region of £120,000-a-week, has started all four matches in the Premier League and has been the glue that has held the midfield together. New signing Fabinho is being slowly integrated into the team and in the meanwhile, Milner has stamped his authority in the starting XI. In the four matches so far, he has recorded a passing accuracy of 91%. He also has assisted 2 goals and created 7 big chances for his teammates so far.
His numbers prove that he isn’t just playing as a defensive-minded midfielder. Instead, he is constantly linking with the full-backs and the wingers to try to open up the opposition defence.
Milner is like a fine wine which gets better and better with age. Despite being 32, he is keeping the young guns on the bench. But he doesn’t deserve a new contract just because of his technical abilities or because of his deeds this season. He deserves a new deal at Anfield because of his attitude and professionalism.
In his first season at the club, he was highly influential as he played over 45 games in all competitions. He scored 8 goals and helped the team reach the League Cup final and the Europa League final. But his true character was on display in his second season, when Jurgen Klopp didn’t sign any left-back and his team suffered due to Alberto Moreno’s poor form.
Enter James Milner. The midfielder slotted straight into the left-back role to help the team out. There were some concerns that his pace – or rather, the lack of it – could benefit the mercurial wingers of the Premier League. But Milner’s relentless pressing and professional attitude ensured that he overcame any obstacles standing in his way. His minutes were limited in the Premier League last season but he gave his 100% whenever he came on. Furthermore, he was one of Klopp’s main men in the Champions League and assisted 9 goals in the competition as the Reds reached the final in Kiev.
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Milner, unlike modern footballers, is a player who is concerned with his reputation on the pitch, rather than off it. He tends to remain away from the glitz and glamour of modern football and keeps his life private. Liverpool should do all they can to extend his contract. From what we have seen, Milner belongs to the last men of the dying breed of highly professional footballers.
