James Milner was given the news he had been long expecting three weeks ago. Despite Jürgen Klopp wanting him to extend his eight-year stay, no offer was forthcoming and he would be free to leave Liverpool at the end of his contract.
The former England midfielder leaves with six major honours, a plethora of memories and a better idea of the coach he wants to become when he eventually retires. Others at 37 would be considering upgrading their golf clubs, but Milner is determined to carry on, even though he worries about the level of burnout in the modern game. Milner will finish his Liverpool career on Sunday at Southampton and, if rumours are to be believed, will start next season along the south coast at Brighton.
