It’s official. James Milner, Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will all be leaving Liverpool, along with Roberto Firimno, at the end of their contracts this summer. In truth, the quartet’s departure is understandable.
In March, Firmino confirmed he would not be extending his contract with the Reds, with the 31-year-old seeing Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, and Cody Gakpo all usurp him in Jurgen Klopp’s pecking order in recent years.
The forward still has 11 goals and five assists for Liverpool from 33 appearances this season, with only Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez outscoring him, but has again been troubled by injury. While Klopp would have liked to keep hold of Firmino, no-one will begrudge the Brazilian the opportunity of a fresh start where he can be first-choice elsewhere.
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Wednesday’s club statement was the first confirmation that Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain would be leaving Anfield, though onlookers will have suspected as much for months. The pair have both been plagued by injuries during their Liverpool careers, with their impact minimal as they navigate their final campaign in Red.
Keita hasn't played since being withdrawn at half-time following a disastrous first-half showing in the 0-0 draw away at Crystal Palace in February. Suffering a muscle injury during the March international break, he's yet to return to full team training as, having made just 13 appearances this season, his Liverpool career ends with a whimper.
Meanwhile, Oxlade-Chamberlain's last outing came when he was thrown on in desperation after 70 minutes in the 4-1 defeat at Man City last month. Like Keita, he has been limited to 13 appearances this season, with his last start coming in the 3-0 loss to Brighton back in mid-January, while he hasn't actually made Liverpool's matchday squad during their nine-game unbeaten run since that heavy loss at the Etihad.
As for Milner, it was first reported last month that the Reds’ vice-captain would call time on his Liverpool career and had verbally agreed to join Brighton on a free transfer. However, since then his boyhood club Leeds United have been credited with interest.
Now 37 years old, the former England international has still made 41 appearances this season, with only Salah, Fabinho, Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harvey Elliott, Andy Robertson, and Nunez registering more. However, only 11 have been starts.
Like with Firmino, Klopp would have liked to have kept the midfielder, but the ECHO understands Milner wasn't offered a new playing contract by the club. Meanwhile, the Mirror reports that the veteran turned down the offer of a coaching role to stay at Anfield, indicating that he instead wanted a fresh challenge of playing more regular football as his career draws to a close.
But while the possibility of Milner’s imminent departure has only really emerged publicly in the last few weeks, in hindsight, Klopp actually hinted that the Liverpool vice-captain would be moving on back in January.
"We have different plans for Milly, but Milly wants to keep playing," Klopp said at the time. "And when you see him play the other night (against Wolves), I think everyone understands that. You can’t judge him because of his age or whatever.
"He is 37, but doesn’t look a day like this. When he is in training, he is there, full throttle. He is an incredibly important player and you saw this on the pitch as well. It is not that Milly expects to play 64 games a season, but in 64 games a season Milly could be incredibly important.
"That is how it is. I think Milly has reached 600 games in his career, right? And I think most of them are for Liverpool if I am right, probably. So even a player who had a few clubs can end up at his club and I can consider Liverpool his club.
"I am pretty sure the club should use his character and mindset and it was really special. There might be more fancy players out there, but no one with a similar mindset and that makes him incredibly important to us. And it's not because I am too loyal! It's just a fact."
It would seem that Klopp did allude to a potential coaching offer to his vice-captain five months ago, while also admitting that Milner wanted to keep playing. And while the German made clear he would like to retain the midfielder’s services, convinced he is still a valuable asset as a player, Liverpool’s loss will now be another club’s gain.
Considering Milner will turn 38 midway through next season, you can appreciate the club’s stance as they continue to plot their midfield overhaul this summer. Yet, having admitted to being caught off-guard by Firmino's exit, it remains to be seen what Klopp thinks of his vice-captain's departure.
Only time will tell whether the veteran finds his way back to Anfield as a coach in the future, when the time comes for him to hang up his boots.
Regardless of the quartet’s next moves, all four Bosman departees will be afforded the warmest of send-offs against Aston Villa on Saturday in Liverpool’s final home game of the season. And having all won every major honour on offer to them at Anfield, there won’t be a dry eye in the house as all four each receive special acknowledgements of their time with the Reds.
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