Liverpool proven right after beating Arsenal to free transfer who turned down Man City
There was surprise among people when James Milner rejected a fresh contract offer from Manchester City and instead chose to join Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool team.
Even though Arsenal was interested in signing him in North London, Milner decided to go to Anfield, where the Liverpool manager at the time assured him of a more prominent position in central midfield.
The attraction of being involved in something extraordinary at Liverpool certainly emerged, although it didn’t unfold as anticipated with the arrival of Jurgen Klopp as the manager at Merseyside.
Despite being actively pursued by Arsenal after his decision to reject a lucrative contract extension at Manchester City, it was Liverpool that attracted James Milner’s attention.
Upon joining Liverpool, Milner was bestowed with the prestigious number seven jersey and assumed the role of vice-captain. Having already secured two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and a League Cup during his time at City, Milner set his sights on the ultimate European achievement: winning the Champions League.
In 2019, four years after joining Liverpool, Milner’s dream became a reality as he played a crucial part in Klopp’s team lifting the Champions League trophy in Madrid.
The former City man said upon arriving at Anfield in June 2015: “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.
“Liverpool is a great fit for me as a club. It’s a huge club and there is a lot of pressure every time you step out onto that field. I’ve played in front of the Anfield crowd and it’ll be nice to be on the other side of the fans now.
“The atmosphere they create is fantastic and probably some of the best atmospheres I’ve played in in England, so to have them supporting me is definitely going to be an amazing feeling.”
During his tenure at Anfield, James Milner went on to claim every significant trophy, adding to his illustrious career. After spending eight years with Liverpool, Milner eventually left the club when his contract expired.
Liverpool proven right after beating Arsenal to free transfer who turned down Man City
