James Milner has earned the perception of being one of the hardest-working pros in English football, having broken the Premier League all-time appearance record in February, alongside a collection of titles, including a Premier League and Champions League, while at Liverpool.
After arriving in 2015, players looked up to him to be the man to inspire the side both on and off the field. He set a great partnership with Reds captain Jordan Henderson when Jurgen Klopp took the reins. The standards they set allowed Kopites to enjoy success in the club’s modern history.
Players and managers who have experienced the Premier League speak highly of Milner, and following the news of his retirement, a former manager has discussed his thoughts on the 40-year-old, saying he is an ‘absolute role model’.
Harry Redknapp discusses Milner’s career
Harry Redknapp began his managerial career at Bournemouth, before moving to West Ham and Portsmouth. As he arrived on the south coast in 2003, a 16-year-old James Milner had already made his Premier League debut for Leeds United, a young star in a quality team.
20 years later, the Englishman was still playing at the top level, as he waved goodbye to Anfield at the end of the 2022-23 season, after winning the FA Cup, Carabao Cup, Club World Cup, Super Cup, Champions League and Premier League for the Merseyside outfit. Following his retirement, Redknapp looked back on what made him so special.
Speaking with Sky Sports, he said, ” What a professional, looked after himself, lived right, trained right, set an example to the young players at your football club. Only ever hear positives about him, and just an amazing guy. What a career he’s had, an absolute role model to young footballers and young people. Didn’t drink, ate the right food, looked after himself, dedicated himself to his profession, and that’s why he went on so long.”
He made the most appearances for Liverpool during his Premier League career, spending eight years on Merseyside. Having played in multiple different positions, from being the club’s starting left back to being a crucial figure in their league title success in 2019/20. As the years went on, his time on the field steadily declined, though he was still a regular off the bench, or someone to be relied upon when the time was right.
Two of his greatest attributes came through his versatility and his availability, as he was almost never injured, and could play anywhere on the field, something Redknapp highlighted, which played a huge part in his character.
“He lived for football, dedicated himself to being in the best shape he could be in, and a good player as well. He played everywhere for you, played on the wing, played fullback, played midfield, he played everywhere, always turned in a great performance.”
He was the personification of hard work in the Liverpool squad under Klopp. He was perhaps not the best player they had, having the fabulous front three of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, or the defensive masterpieces in the team like Virgil Van Dijk or Alisson, but he remained one of the main figures on the field and in the dressing room.
Following the season the Reds have just had, supporters have reminisced on the time Milner was at the club, lifting the standards off the floor and making sure they remained on track, with sections of the fanbase calling out for a man of his stature to be in their dressing room right now.
