Liverpool’s management rejected a request from manager Jurgen Klopp to extend James Milner’s contract, just months before Klopp himself announced he would be leaving the club.
Milner joined Liverpool in 2015 and became a key figure under Klopp, winning six major trophies including the Premier League and Champions League. Although he played less frequently in his final season, Klopp valued his leadership in the dressing room and wanted him to stay beyond the summer of 2023.
The club’s hierarchy decided against offering a new deal, and Milner moved to Brighton as a free agent at the end of the 2022-23 season.
Klopp later described Milner as the ultimate professional and a role model for younger players. He acknowledged that while Milner was not always happy when left out of the starting team, his attitude and commitment were exceptional.
Milner confirmed that Klopp wanted him to stay, but the club made a different decision. He learned of the move about three weeks before his departure and accepted that it was time for a change.
Klopp’s own exit followed six months later. In January 2024, he announced he would leave Liverpool at the end of the season, citing exhaustion after nearly nine years in charge.
Klopp now works as head of football at Red Bull, while Milner, now 40, continues to play in the Premier League. He recently matched the record for the most appearances in the competition and is set to face his former club Liverpool in the FA Cup.