Luka Milivojevic says he won’t give up trying to fight his way back into the Crystal Palace starting XI despite having a “confused” season so far under Patrick Vieira.
The Serbian midfielder and club captain had a slow start to the season after taking time off in the summer following the passing of his father, as well as an injury that delayed his return to action. When he has played, he has struggled for form and not looked overly comfortable operating in Vieria’s fast, mobile playing style that centres around discipline out of possession as much as it does creativity with it.
Milivojevic has only played 90 minutes once this calendar year, which was the 2-0 FA Cup fourth round win over Harltepool United at Selhurst Park. He looked good starting in the 1-1 home draw against Burnley but his appearance in that game will no doubt be remembered for the unfortunate own goal he scored in the closing moments of the first half. Overall, it’s been a difficult campaign for the skipper.
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“This season is a little bit confused, but I’m very honest with myself,” he told the Crystal Palace website. “I think I’m doing great in training, giving my best. The game I played in the cup [vs Hartlepool] I was satisfied with how I did. As the captain of the group I have to always show always an example, especially in difficult moments, because there are plenty of young guys who can be in a similar situation in the future.
“I’m always there to fight and will never give up. Until the end of my career I will fight and do my best and the manager can decide if for him it’s good enough. I’m doing what I think is the most important, and that is to give my best.”
Milivojevic arrived at Crystal Palace in 2016 from Greece Super League side Olympiacios and has since wracked up over 150 appearances for the Eagles across six seasons in south London. He turns 31 at the start of April though and says when he starts to feel his body letting him down he’ll know it’ll be time to hang up his boots. Until then, it’s about fighting to get back on the turf at Selhurst Park.
“There is a couple of years to play and I’m going to try to push myself to the maximum, honestly,” he added. “But family is always missing. Here [England] my wife and kids are always with me, and my mother, brother and his family are [in Serbia]. We will see if my body can follow my mentality and my mind, then I will keep going. When my body stops producing what my mind wants I will need to stop.
“Honestly, at the moment I haven’t decided what I want. I think soon I will have to start [deciding], but I’m not in a rush. If I want to stay in football I will try to be involved. If I don’t want to stay in football I will try to enjoy life with my family. I have a lot of hobbies, fishing, a lot of stuff, and want to maybe spend time in Serbia. So we will see. I’m not in a rush and there are plenty of years in front of me.
“I’m very happy at the moment, enjoying playing football, very thankful to God that I’m healthy, in one of the best leagues in the world. We as a club do amazing for the players –the club tries to prepare everything for us and to give us just one thing in our mind: to be the best on the pitch. Everything around us is top class and as a professional football player you can’t ask for more than we get at the moment.”
