A player so consistent and under-the-radar he inspired a parody “Boring James Milner” Twitter account, the Liverpool stalwart is, for once, sporting a new look.
Ever since making his debut as a precocious 16-year-old, Milner has remained a model of minimalism - with his only changes in appearance coming in when he moved clubs. In fact, a look at Milner in the white of Leeds United or the claret and blue of Aston Villa, you could be forgiven for wondering if his 20-year playing career has aged him a day.
Still at the top of European football with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, Milner is showing no signs of slowing down, still living up to his nickname of ‘The Machine’ during gruelling pre-season tests.
But the 36-year-old will look a little different for the start of the new Premier League season, after he revealed a new beard inspired by captain Jordan Henderson and Andy Robertson.
Speaking to the club’s media team Milner explained how the new look came about: “A couple of weeks ago we were in Singapore, we were in the treatment room having a bit of craic and Hendo and Robbo were on me and said, ‘Go on, you need to grow it.’
“I said, ‘Alright, why not? I’ll do it for banter.’ We’ll see where it goes. They’ve got a month of growth; we’re two weeks in so we’ll see where it goes from here. They’re in control of it, so if it’s no good it’s their fault!”
Milner is just weeks on from confirming he will remain at Anfield for a further season, extending his contract for another 12 months.
“Delighted. It’s an incredible football club,” he said of the new deal. “The support we get all over the world, the group of players and staff that I’m lucky enough to be working with every day, the size of the club, the success the club has had in the past and in the recent history since I’ve been at the club.
“It’s been great to be part of that. And obviously the drive is to go on and keep winning trophies and keep being successful.”
The veteran had been linked with a couple of former clubs before penning the new deal, but admitted there was never any real consideration that he wouldn’t be remaining on Merseyside for at least the next 12 months.
He added: “I think the part of the season we were in there were so many games and such big things, it is a big decision and something you don’t really want to take at that time.
“It was something I didn’t really think about too strongly until the end of the season. Speaking to the club, they were happy with that. It was always my preference that I wanted to stay.
“The disappointment of the [ Champions League ] final but then you see the reaction of the fans on the parade and see what an incredible football club it is and the support we get; it was a special day and shows what the club and the city is all about.”
