James Milner has told reporters that he has no regrets over leaving Manchester City this summer, despite the club’s impressive start to the new Premier League season.
Milner, who won two top flight titles and two domestic cups during his time at the Etihad Stadium, traded in the chance to sign a new contract at the club and move to Liverpool this summer – with the understanding that the Reds would make him a guaranteed starter and play him in his preferred central midfield role.
Brendan Rodgers has done just that and the 29-year-old has thrived thus far, helping us match City in their unbeaten start to the new season, albeit with one less win under our belts from the first three games.
While Milner admits that he will always care for his former club, he insists he could not be happier with his choice, knowing that he likely would have remained on the bench had he stayed in Manchester this summer. Instead, he is on Merseyside, and playing some of the best football of his career.
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“I have watched them [City] on the TV but I might have been watching them sitting on the bench if I had stayed at the club,” admitted Milner, in quotes taken by the Daily Mirror.
“That’s the decision I made. I am delighted to have joined Liverpool and am enjoying every minute. This is the club that is used to winning and every time they step onto the field they expect to win – that is a nice pressure.
“You want to play with the biggest clubs and best players. You want to be among good, experienced players and a blend of English talent and foreign players. Everything is there. You look down the squad list and on the bench and it is a strong balance. You need a good squad to do anything and we will definitely have that.”
City have brought in the likes of Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Otamendi and look set to challenge for honours once again this season, but Milner is confident that the Reds can spring a surprise and push them all the way.
Asked about how far we can go this season, he added: “We will see at the end of the season, won’t we? I think it is an exciting time to be at the club. There have obviously been a lot of changes on and off the field in the summer and I think it will take time to get to our best.
“But to start the season like we have is pleasing. We don’t want to put any targets on it. But the longer we get into this season and the more we play together, you will see us improve more and more.”