For the first time, Jurgen Klopp was talking about James Milner in the past tense; or the past conditional, anyway. It wasn’t because, as Liverpool midfielders go, Milner is rather closer in age to Steve McManaman than Stefan Bajcetic. Rather, it was because Milner will soon consign himself to Liverpool’s past. “I would have loved to work together with him for even longer,” said Klopp, with a hint of wistfulness.
It was not quite a formal announcement, but it was close to a confirmation Milner’s Liverpool career only has another four games to run. “The exact outcome of his decision, I think Milly will say that,” Klopp said, but Milner seems destined for Brighton. The chances are, that in pre-season training in Sussex, the distance running tests will be won by a man who played Premier League football with Nigel Martyn and against David Seaman.
