“Back with the boys for number 21, let’s have it,” was the message from James Milner on Monday as he reported for pre-season training back at the AXA Training Centre. Accompanied by flexing muscle emoji and ‘here we go again’ hashtag, the midfielder is raring to go as he starts his 21st season as a professional player, having signed a new one-year contract with Liverpool.
Yet truth be told, for the majority of last season it had looked like the midfielder might leave Anfield this summer. The Reds vice-captain had been due to be out of contract and, having celebrated his 36th birthday in January, had been turned to sporadically by Jurgen Klopp.
Injuries suffered when starting on the opening day of the season against Norwich City and in the 5-0 victory away at Manchester United didn’t help his cause as the midfielder, who previously prided himself on his availability, had to spend a month on the sidelines on both occasions. And when he returned, even with Liverpool short on midfielders at the time, he found himself restricted to late substitute appearances at best.
