Image Credits: Imago Images
The former Liverpool midfielder could break a historic Premier League record this weekend.
James Milner, now 40 years old, gears up for Brighton’s next Premier League game in which they will face Brentford away from home.
The former Liverpool midfielder’s career has been a historic one and if he makes an appearance for the Seagulls this week he will step beyond Gareth Barry and become the Premier League’s all-time record appearance maker.
Currently enjoying a twenty-three-year career in the top-flight, Milner has featured for Leeds United, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton.
As part of a wider reflection piece published by The Guardian focusing on Milner’s journey to being on the brink of such a record, former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has delivered a heartfelt tribute to his former teammate.
“I was very lucky to have Milly as my vice-captain at Liverpool, although I didn’t see him as that. I saw us s a pair of captains. He helped me tremeodnously, not only on the pitch but off it, too. We had a really good professional relationship. We called it good cop, bad cop – I’ll let you work out which one was which. We also had a great friendship off the field; our wives are still close and speak a lot.”
“He is someone I have admired and looked up to ever since I first played with him with England, around the 2012 Euros. I already knew he was a very, very good player. He scored a worldie at the Stadium of Light for Villa and I was right behind it.”
“For me it’s no surprise Milly’s about to break the appearance record because of his quality and talent. Also, because his mentality is unique. I’m sure if you asked all the clubs he’s played for, they’ll say he’s had a big impact on them, on the environment and on what they’ve achieved. I can’t think of anybody that is like him in football. A 40-year-old still starting in the Premier League tells you the level he will still be training and playing at.”
“I learned a lot from him at Liverpool. He was intense and very serious but, at the same time, he liked having a laugh around the dressing room or when we were travelling. He was constantly at it, constantly influencing the team whether he was playing or training or injured. It was the life he lived around football every day, the consistency that not many players would be able to cope with.”
“I can’t speak highly enough of Milly. The biggest compliment I can give him is that there’s not many people in my life who I could trust 100%; I could probably count them on one hand. Milly would certainly be one of them. I’ve got a lot to thank him for, for what he’s done for me over my career. I loved every minute of it at Liverpool, and he was a big part of that.”
A player who is so much more than an appearance count, James Milner is the definition of longevity and serves as an example of what you can achieve if you possess a similar mindset and commitment to the sport as he does.
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