Liverpool 'yet to open contract talks' with James Milner, Jurgen Klopp is desperate to keep him

David Ornstein has claimed James Milner could leave Liverpool at the end of the season.

The Reds have endured a season plagued by injury and poor form. Jurgen Klopp’s side, who this time last year were on course for an unprecedented quadruple, will finish the current campaign without a trophy.

Liverpool have been eliminated from all their cup competitions, while they are sixth in the Premier League, seven points adrift of the Champions League spots.

In turn, the Merseyside club have been tipped to undergo a major rebuild, with Chelsea’s Mason Mount, Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham and RB Leipzig’s Joško Gvardiol all being linked with summer transfers to the club.

Naturally, there are likely to be outgoings as well, with Roberto Firmino having already confirmed he is to leave Liverpool at the end of the season upon the expiry of his contract.

Meanwhile, 37-year-old utility player Milner could also leave at the end of this term.

Milner to leave Liverpool?

The Athletic's transfer guru Ornstein has claimed Liverpool are yet to open contract talks with Milner, despite Klopp’s eagerness to secure the veteran’s services for another season.

Klopp is reportedly keen to extend Milner’s contract, which expires at the end of the season.

Indeed, while the club are planning a midfield overhaul at the end of the season, the Liverpool boss is said to value Milner’s experience, leadership and versatility.

And as per the Athletic report, Milner is also keen to carry on playing and would ideally want to commit to extending his stay at Liverpool into a ninth season.

However, there has allegedly been no movement on the matter, which raises the possibility the former England international could join Firmino in leaving Liverpool this summer.

While Milner agreed to a new contract last summer on reduced terms, senior figures at the club are said to accept that he will be free to sign for another club if no new deal is agreed this time around.