The former Liverpool midfielder opened up about his regret at not spending more time at his boyhood club Leeds United, today's opponents at Anfield
James Milner of Liverpool celebrates with the Champions League Trophy after winning the UEFA Champions League Final between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on June 01, 2019 in Madrid, Spain.
James Milner spent his youth career at Leeds but found success on Merseyside
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James Milner admitted he wishes he'd spent longer at his boyhood club, even if it led him to an unforgettable spell with Liverpool. The midfielder joined Leeds United at the age of 10 in 1996, making his first-team debut at just 16 years old in 2002.
Milner became the youngest player to score in the Premier League against Sunderland, a record that was subsequently broken by Everton's James Vaughan in April 2005. However, the teenager departed Leeds just two years later following the club's relegation from the Premier League.
Milner was told he had a medical at Newcastle to complete an initial £3.6million transfer. Speaking to FourFourTwo in 2018, the veteran star acknowledged his departure from Elland Road caught him off guard. Milner said: "It was a very tough time to get relegated and there were a lot of financial things going on – things in the papers, off-field problems.
"You had to grow up quickly by watching the senior players and how they were dealing with everything. As hard as it was, I learned a lot very quickly. Within two years I'd had numerous managers, and highs and lows.
"By the start of my second season, Peter Reid had come in and I was sent on loan to Swindon. I did quite well there, went back to Leeds and started playing in every game.
"But then, in 2004, I turned up on the first day of pre-season thinking we were going to discuss a new contract, and someone said, 'You're going up to Newcastle for your medical tomorrow.' I was like, 'Am I?' That was tough. It was disappointing that I didn't get to play for Leeds for longer, but to do it at all was pretty special."
Upon his departure, Milner - a former Leeds season-ticket holder and ball boy - chose to forfeit the money owed to him by the club to help ease their financial burden. He added: "What little money the club owed me, I gave up to help them, and they got a transfer fee.
James Milner of Liverpool celebrates after his sides first goal during the UEFA Champions League Final between Real Madrid and Liverpool at NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium on May 26, 2018 in Kiev, Ukraine.
The Reds hero proved a shrewd signing(Image: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
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"So it was portrayed to me that it was in the best interests of the club [for me to leave] due to all of the financial difficulties. I thought I was going the right thing by the club."
Whilst at Liverpool, Milner admitted he harboured hopes of one day returning to Elland Road when his Anfield contract expired. In his book, Ask a Footballer: My Guide to Kicking a Ball About, the Premier League and Champions League winner said: "I get asked this all the time.
"Any time I bump into a Leeds fan – or even my mates back home – it's always, 'When are you coming back? When are you coming home?' There would be so many things to weigh up – not just for myself or my family, but for Leeds.
"If I was being released by another club, would they want me? It would be pointless for them and for me if I wasn't needed at the time and it was just some kind of nostalgia trip.
"You can probably tell from what I'm saying that I love the club, but I also love playing for Liverpool and I want to play at the highest level for as long as I can.
James Milner of Liverpool kisses the trophy to celebrate winning the League Title during the presentation ceremony of the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield on July 22, 2020 in Liverpool, England.
Milner holds dreams of returning to his boyhood club
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"If my time at Liverpool came to an end and I was going to go somewhere else and Leeds were one of the clubs that were interested in me, then that would be a very exciting option for all the reasons I mention."
The 39-year-old is now at Brighton following the end of his Liverpool contract at the conclusion of the 2022/23 campaign. Yet with his cherished Leeds back in the Premier League, Milner could well be contemplating a homecoming down the line.
Speaking about his affection for Leeds following their Amazon Prime documentary, he said: "When I see the atmosphere at Elland Road and I hear the crowd, it makes me proud.
Steve Finnan of Liverpool clashes with James Milner of Leeds during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Liverpool and Leeds at Anfield on October 25, 2003
Milner looks back on his time with Leeds fondly
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"The fan relationship changes when you're a professional player and you move on to different clubs, but I still follow them and look out for their scores every weekend. Watching Take Us Home, you get a real feeling for how desperate everyone is for the club to get back to the Premier League, where it belongs.
"To go back and play for my hometown club again would be amazing in so many different ways. All I can really say is that I still love the club and I still love the fans.
"It's a regret that I didn't play for Leeds longer. I didn't want to leave and I felt like I was only really getting started at the club, but it was an unfortunate time for me to be coming through at Leeds."