Liverpool Midfielder Rejects Newcastle And Villa To Stay At Liverpool

Liverpool veteran midfielder James Milner rejected several offers to stay at the club for one more season, according to GOAL.

The 36-year-old could have left the Reds to join MLS or former clubs Newcastle United and Aston Villa, but he remains committed to Liverpool in the twilight of his career.

James Milner has been a Red for seven years, joining from Manchester City in 2015 - but it all started 13 years previously, as a 16-year-old Milner made his Premier League debut at just 16 years of age.

Playing for his hometown club, Leeds United, Milner broke through and starred before Leeds capitulated to relegation in 2004, thus joining Newcastle United.

94 appearances later, a permanent move to Villa ensued, in which he scored in a 2-1 Carling Cup Final defeat to Manchester United.

He was eventually sold to Manchester City for a then mammoth £26m fee, and went on to win two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and a League Cup.

Five years later he left on a free to join Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool, starting the most successful period of his career - helping Jurgen Klopp’s men win the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, Club World Cup and UEFA European Super Cup in his 289 Liverpool appearances.

Only Roberto Firmino has made more appearances than Milner in Klopp’s Liverpool tenure, and the German was ecstatic when he signed the deal earlier this summer.

“His professionalism is the benchmark for any athlete and it’s why he sets the tone for this team with his ability and attitude”, Klopp explained.

“We had the longest campaign possible last season and Millie only got stronger and better and more influential as it went on."

“We just want the same from him again, because that’s not possible to replace. He can still do it and we still need it”, said Klopp.

“So I’m grateful he answered the call and agreed to give us the extra year of his extraordinary career. More to come.”