With growing speculation that Liverpool are leading the chase to sign Manchester City midfielder James Milner on a free transfer this summer, here’s a look at four reasons this move makes a lot of sense for the Reds and their challenges next season…
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Liverpool FC blog
1) Liverpool need midfielders
With Steven Gerrard’s departure to LA Galaxy already in place and the possibility that players like Raheem Sterling and Lucas Leiva could leave, Liverpool will potentially be a lot shorter of midfield options next season. With Brendan Rodgers’ philosophy so geared around large numbers of midfielders who are comfortable either centrally or out wide, James Milner seems an obvious signing to aid this mini crisis, especially if he’s available for free.
2) They also need experience
Milner is 29 years old and has benefitted from the experience of winning trophies at Manchester City. The England midfielder has two Premier League titles to his name alongside one win in each of the domestic cup competitions since moving to the Etihad Stadium in 2010. Although many will argue he has never been a regular performer in any of those sides, he has still played his part, making 31 league appearances as the club won the title last season. Meanwhile, many of Liverpool’s players have not won a great deal at all, and are in the early stages of their career. With Gerrard leaving, youngsters like Philippe Coutinho, Emre Can and Lazar Markovic will have more of a role to play, and the presence of a seasoned winner like Milner could be hugely beneficial.
3) He’s in great form this season
With six goals for City this season, Milner has hit his best tally for the club since he joined. Of course, it’s not the kind of stat that makes you leap out of your seat, but he’s actually been one of the team’s most in-form players in recent times while the club has stuttered to second place and dropped out of the Champions League and FA Cup in a disappointing second half of the season. Some players are late bloomers, and it may be that Milner still has more to offer, particularly if he is given the chance to play more regularly, which seems likely at Anfield.
4) His versatility is a strength, not a weakness
According to WhoScored.com, Milner has been used in seven different positions by Manuel Pellegrini this season. Playing right, left, central, and even upfront doesn’t seem to matter for Milner, who has always been a highly versatile player. Some have used this as a criticism against him for not being enough of a specialist in any particular role, but for Liverpool’s fluid style it could be absolutely ideal. Rodgers has used a 3-4-3 for much of this season, with unclear roles and not as much of a distinction between midfielders, wingers or forwards. It’s hard to know, but in theory Milner should be right at home in that kind of tactical setup.