James Milner has admitted that the opportunity to play in central midfield for Liverpool this season was simply too good an offer to turn down.
The experienced playmaker, who has the unenviable task of filling Steven Gerrard’s sizeable shoes this season, has impressed since his move from Manchester City but knows that he must continue to prove himself.
Milner, who joined the Reds on a free transfer last month, has scored twice in our first four pre-season friendlies and already looks to have struck up a strong working relationship with Jordan Henderson.
In a recent interview, Milner was asked about what motivated him to make the switch to Merseyside this summer. And, in quotes taken by the Liverpool Echo, he explained that he was being a little selfish.
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“This move was a selfish move for me,” he said. “Obviously playing at City and playing in different positions – the team will always come first, that’s the way I believe it should be, no matter where you are.
“But I think the move to come to Liverpool and take that mantle on myself was more of a selfish move and hopefully I can do well and contribute to success at Liverpool.
“I’d like to think you will see the best of me now I am in the central role. I had some good seasons at City but it was made harder coming in and going out of the side. When that happens it’s not easy keeping your form up.”
Milner’s first Liverpool goal vs Brisbane Roar…
In our humble opinion, Milner does himself a disservice by calling himself selfish. The fact that he wants to play every week in his preferred position, rather than get moved around or sit on the bench, is a rare trait in modern-day football and is something to be admired.
After being pressed on why playing in the middle was the main factor in his decision to move, he continued: “This is a chance for me to prove something. I want to look back at my career and feel I got everything out of it and was the best player I could be and won as much as I possibly could.
“I don’t want to be sat at the end of my career thinking I could have done more, or left something out there. I believe I can achieve things here where I could maybe have found myself on the bench at City.
“I think there were times at City when I had good games and then because of rotation you are out again. That doesn’t mean I am guaranteed to play in every game at Liverpool but I feel I have a better chance of playing every week if I perform. I know I have to get out there and do my stuff and hopefully help Liverpool be very successful.”