James Milner: Liverpool Ties the Veteran Down to Another Year

James Milner has put pen to paper on a year extension at Anfield as he looks to continue his Liverpool journey in his late 30s. The player is said to have taken a significant cut in his salary to stay and play under Klopp.

Despite being 36 years of age, James Milner is still highly valued by Liverpool Football Club. The player had quite the difficult decision to make this summer: does he stay and have a bit-part role at Anfield or go abroad where he can add more value to the youngsters and first-team at another club, maybe earning extra game time, more than what he would accumulate in Jurgen Klopp’s setup.

Talking about the manager, he made it clear that “Millie” is quite important to him and it would be hard to see him leave. The long-serving Englishman turned down two offers from other Premier League clubs and proposals from the MLS to stay with the Reds, according to reports.

What was a massive convincing chip in Milner’s final conclusion was the Liverpool parade following their Champions League Final loss and two English Cup triumphs. The celebrations were simply elating and one finds it quite easy to relate.

"James Milner has signed a new one-year contract with Liverpool, with his experience at the post-season trophy parade helping convince him to stayDespite the chaos and disappointment in Paris, and the deflating final day of the Premier League only a week before, half a million fans turned out to welcome Klopp and his players back to Merseyside.The FA Cup, League Cup and Women’s Championship were on parade, but the message was more one of unity, and a major boost for the new campaign ahead.That was clearly the case for Milner, who has put pen to paper on a one-year extension to his contract at Liverpool, agreeing to reduced terms despite offers of two-year deals from elsewhere in the Premier League and MLS.(Via: thisisanfield.com)"

What does James Milner still add to Liverpool at 36 years old?

A big presence in the dressing room, a leader amongst the many leaders Klopp has playing under him and is the perfect deputy for Jordan Henderson when the club captain needs to be pulled from a game.

Milner is one of few players that has ice pumping through his veins when having to step up to the spot 12 yards out or, having to deliver a killer ball into the box in the dying minutes of a cup game. Playing in his favour is the five substitutions in the Premier League; it gives the manager more options to look to introduce into the game.

He will not so much be the man they call on, week in and week out but there are a few young players who need his guidance in the dressing room as well. Let us not forget, at his “young” age, he is still one of the fittest players in the team.

The James Milner Story Resumes

What a career it’s been for the 36-year-old midfielder. He has played 1 season in the English Second Divison and 19 seasons in England’s top flight. The player has 588 EPL appearances and is on route to hitting the big 600 when the new campaign kicks off.

There are only three players to make the 600 mark: Gareth Barry (653), Ryan Giggs (632), and Frank Lampard (609). He will be hoping to break into that top three before he hangs up his boots and it will be hard to achieve the feat if he is only going to be a bit-part player for the Reds.

See James Milner’s full comments after signing his new deal: here