Why the Reds should secure a deal for the English international…
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According to Goal, Liverpool are at the head of the queue to sign James Milner should he decide not to renew his contract with Manchester City…
Here’s why they’d be wise to pursue the opportunity.
1) Steven Gerrard is leaving, and James Milner thrives centrally…
Few people remember Milner at his best, but Aston Villa fans probably do. Used almost as a no.10 at Villa Park, the Englishman could create, score, and thread intricate passes. He was so good that Manchester City shelled out £26m on him, before strangely converting him into a workhorse. With Gerrard leaving the Reds, Milner could directly replace the legendary skipper in a central midfield role, given the licence to create as well just work relentlessly.
2) Extreme value for money…
He’ll be available on a free, meaning this is essentially a risk-free signing. Milner’s wages will be large, but they won’t be too extravagant, and the fact that a transfer fee isn’t needed negates this anyway. To add an international player in his prime for nothing is a no-brainer.
3) Milner’s versatility enables him to play a number of roles in Liverpool’s squad…
Rodgers loves his players to be tactically versatile, and is known to switch their roles even during matches. Milner can play as a holding midfielder, an attacking one – on either flank, at full-back, and has even played up top before! The perfect squad player.
4) Liverpool need to add experienced ‘winners’ to their young squad…
The likes of Coutinho, Raheem Sterling, Alberto Moreno, Lazar Markovic and Emre Can are all under the age of 23, and next year’s skipper Jordan Henderson is only 24… Milner is 29, and has won two Premier League titles with the Citizens. That kind of experience is invaluable.
5) It would weaken direct rivals…
City don’t want to lose Milner, so to take him from under their noses would be a significant coup. Arsenal are also interested, so again, acquiring the player ahead of a direct rival would boost Liverpool before the start of 2014/15.
6) Milner would be desperate to prove that he can cut it at an elite club, and that he’s more than a utility man…
When Liverpool signed Daniel Sturridge, many questioned why they were bothering to spend money on somebody deemed not good enough for Chelsea. But with a point to prove, Sturridge flourished at Anfield because he was given responsibility and deployed in a pivotal central position instead of out wide. Milner isn’t used in his favourite position either, and a move to Liverpool could give him the chance to prove just how good he potentially is.
