Manchester City's owners attempted to convince James Milner to re-sign in 2015, but he had already committed to join Liverpool on a free despite admitting it was a "big risk"
17:08, 30 Apr 2026
James Milner said it was a "big risk" trading Manchester City for Liverpool
James Milner said it was a 'big risk' trading Manchester City for Liverpool(Image: 2026 Visionhaus)
James Milner was a warrior for Liverpool during the Jurgen Klopp era, but the legendary midfielder admitted he never planned to join the club, as he initially wanted to stay at Manchester City.
Milner is a Premier League legend and recently broke Gareth Barry's record for the most league appearances. His stunning 24-year career is drawing to a close, but Milner is one of the few players considered both a City and Liverpool legend.
The 40-year-old has since joined Brighton and Hove Albion, opting to leave before Klopp's final season in charge of Liverpool. Milner is grateful for his successful eight years at Liverpool, but he only left City because the club waited too long to offer an acceptable contract extension before the owners stepped in.
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Milner has played through several Premier League eras, from his early years at Leeds United as a 16-year-old to his developmental spells at Newcastle and Aston Villa. Milner then joined City in 2010, just as the club was shaping into a Premier League giant.
After ending a 35-year drought for silverware by winning the FA Cup in 2010-11, City then won its first Premier League title the following season. Milner continued to battle for his place as City kept signing players, but despite being offered a contract, he left for free to join Liverpool in June 2015.
In an appearance on That Peter Crouch Podcast, Milner explained to the former Liverpool striker how he ended up at Anfield. "I had two years left at City, really wanted to stay," Milner said. "I was doing quite well, and the club said, 'Let's get through this transfer window, and we'll talk about it.'
Milner was thriving at Manchester City and was part of a defining era for the club
Milner was thriving at Manchester City and was part of a defining era for the club(Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
"That was obviously the July-August time, went through that period, and heard nothing. Then it got toward the end of that season, so I had just over a year left. The offer came, and it was pretty poor to be honest.
"They were clever with the media and said the offer is more than he's on now, but it was like, 'If you win four Ballon d'Ors in a row.' I was in and out of the team a bit, people sign all the time, I felt like I deserved more than I did.
"If they'd have got to a decent, reasonable offer at that point, you'd probably sign, but it went on and on. It got closer to the time, and then Liverpool became an option. It's an amazing club, and still, I was like, 'How can you leave City at this point?'
Milner was keen to extend his contract with two years remaining, but only received a good offer at the last minute
Milner was keen to extend his contract with two years remaining, but only received a good offer at the last minute(Image: 2015 Getty Images)
"We were flying, and Liverpool had pushed us close a couple of years before, but they weren't up there challenging again. So it's a big decision. City were always great with me.
"In the end, the owners got involved in terms of the negotiation and gave a good offer. It was brilliant. They said, 'Whatever you want, we want you to stay. Let us know.' If it had been for money, I'd have probably done that.
"The thing that attracted me to City was starting that period of winning things. Liverpool hadn't won too much, the size of the club, it was like, 'If you could do there and win a league title, it would be incredible.' It was just how the negotiations panned out. It was too late, I'd already made my mind up."
Milner ended up playing more games for Liverpool than for any other club during his career
Milner ended up playing more games for Liverpool than for any other club during his career(Image: 2023 Liverpool FC)
Despite sticking with his decision, Milner admitted that it was one he could have regretted. However, after being signed by Brendan Rodgers, Liverpool replaced him with Klopp, and the rest was history.
"It was a big risk leaving City. I'd had five years there. In the end, they came up with an offer that would have been fair. If the owners had gotten involved earlier, I suppose I would've stayed there for sure," Milner added.
"At that point, Liverpool, what they said was attractive, and the size of Liverpool as a club... You feel like you're really wanted."
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Milner made 332 appearances for Liverpool across all competitions and scored 26 goals in a variety of positions. Milner won every domestic trophy at Liverpool and lifted the club's sixth Champions League title in 2019.