James Milner is back at Liverpool and fans are all making the same demand

James Milner has returned to Liverpool following his retirement from professional football at the end of last season - as an age-group coach.

Milner called time on his 24-year playing career at the age of 40 after a three-year spell with Brighton and Hove Albion, where he made 46 appearances in all competitions.

He had been non-committal when asked if, given his leadership skills and experience, he would definitively move into management or coaching in the future. But he now appears to be taking the first initial step of that journey.

Why James Milner is back at Liverpool

According to This is Anfield, Milner was at Liverpool's Kirkby training complex on Saturday, on the same day that the Reds drew 0-0 with Fulham at Anfield.

Rather than having any senior involvement at this stage - and it is reported that there are no plans for that to happen - he is said to have been leading a session at under-11 level 'to gain hands-on coaching experience'.

Milner shadowed head coach Fabian Hurzeler and his staff at Brighton last season when recovering from injury, and has completed his UEFA A Licence.

Such a distinction will allow him to coach at any level of English football, though he will have to earn a UEFA Pro Licence if he decides to manage in the upper tiers of English football - think Will Still at Reims.

Speaking to Goal in March, Milner said he was doubtful about moving into management given the short period of time in which managers often receive at clubs, but said he would 'love to have a go at it, especially with it being tough'.

But he may take his time before moving into professional coaching.

"Jurgen [Klopp] told me when you finish, the first thing you need to do is have a break," Milner stated. "I think when you've been at the intensity I've been at for as many years as I have, I think that's important, to take stock and have a little break and work out what the next step is and see where we go from there."

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Liverpool fans make same James Milner suggestion

After the reports of Milner's involvement at Liverpool in an age-group capacity, Reds fans have urged the club to get Milner involved in the senior team in some capacity - with some claiming their struggles last season in finishing in fifth in the Premier League wouldn't have happened had he been at the club.

"No coincidence that last season's fall-off happened after he left the club," one fan wrote.

"Give him the Jay Spearing role," another said, referencing Spearing's role as a player-coach for Liverpool's under-21 side.

"His experience, his knowledge would be invaluable, not just to the youngsters but the entire squad," a third wrote.

"Any chance he can nip into first team training Monday and set some standards of what is needed to wear that red shirt?" another asked.

Liverpool had a significant midfield rebuild following Milner's departure in 2023, though it could be argued that they never replaced the leadership qualities and experience he brought to the dressing room.

This summer, Liverpool opted not to replace Curtis Jones after selling him to Inter Milan in the summer, even going as far as to block a Championship loan opportunity for James McConnell to keep him at Anfield.

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The Reds do have six players to fill three midfield positions, with McConnell, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Florian Wirtz and Trey Nyoni all options.

There is also Wataru Endo, who has been an unused substitute in all of Liverpool's matches so far this season and it is unclear as to what Iraola now sees as his best position. Former Japan national team captain Endo played at right-back on a number of occasions last season.