New Liverpool signing James Milner has lifted the lid on his reasons for joining the Merseyside outfit this summer.
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The versatile England international made a somewhat surprising choice to snub the advances of Arsenal [via Independent Sport] and reject a new deal at Manchester City, where he won two Barclays Premier League titles, to join a club that failed to finish in the top four last season.
City were keen to told on to Milner and reportedly offered the 29-year-old a new contract worth a staggering £165,000-a-week [via Independent Sport], however, he opted to sign for the Reds and says the prospect of playing in his favoured central midfield role lured him to Anfield:
“City are a great club and I had five great years there and enjoyed every minute. The fans were brilliant with me the whole time there, and that made the decision difficult,” the Reds new no.7 told the club’s official website.
“I just thought it was the right thing for me to hopefully go and get more game time and be part of something special.”
“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.”
“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!,” Milner added.
Milner is one of six new arrivals on Merseyside so far this summer and will be one of the more experienced members of the squad and could be in the running to be named as the club’s new captain following the departure of Kop legend Steven Gerrard earlier in the month.