Milner: It is the end of my story at Liverpool but the era has not ended

James Milner is adamant that the glory days for Liverpool are far from over despite a greatly underperforming campaign.

The last game of the 2022/23 Premier League season against Southampton was a microcosm of the Reds season.

A quick start with goals to Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino give an indication that they intended to put another team to the sword like they had done to Bournemouth, Man United and Leeds previously.

But if that was the clinical Liverpool, the inexplicable sloppy version then decided to show their ugly face. Up against a team who were rooted to the bottom of the division and already preparing for life in the Championship, they conceded the next four goals of the game and were staring another humbling away defeat square in the face.

It was only two goals in as many minutes from Cody Gakpo and the renaissance man in Jota which saved their blushes but also indicated the areas that need to be rectified in the pre-season.

Throughout his two-decade career, Milner has prided himself on being a straight talker and never said anything just for a headline.

So his assessment on where the Reds are currently placed certainly provides hope for the seasons ahead as the Official site reported.

“This team is a special team with a special manager, amazing group of staff, unbelievable stadium, great training ground and some fantastic young players as well. 

“It’s the end of my story here but the end of this era for Liverpool I’m sure isn’t ended and there’s going to be lots of trophies to come for this special group of players.

Looking back at his eight year spell at the club which has seen him as the definition of a model professional, playing any role asked of him by the manager, Milner says every single box has been ticked.

“(When I signed) The aim was to win a league title, the aim was to add another European Cup to the trophy cabinet. It was the plan – plans don’t normally come off like this. It is mission accomplished if you like in the time.

Milner also had a special word of thanks to the supporters and despite proudly being Leeds born and bred, the match going fans have taken to the midfielder like one of their own, truly loving his commitment to the cause and no-nonsense way he goes about his Football.

“They have been incredible all over the world since I got here. You realise how big the club is when you travel and you go around the world. You’re on the other side of the world and the amount of fans there are – everywhere you go there are Liverpool fans. 

“The support we get and some of the performances and results we’ve got at Anfield I don’t think could have been achieved at any other stadium in the world. It’s a special club to play for.

“ It’s been a fantastic eight years and what we’ve managed to share. They have travelled all over; the amount of money they’ve spent following us and getting to European finals, all over Europe and the Club World Cup. 

“I can’t even imagine the effort and the money they have gone to, to support us all the way through. That’s amazing. Hopefully the trophies we’ve won, the times we’ve shared, the trophy parades and those moments together, hopefully it was all worth it.”

I think the fans would say a resounding ‘Yes’ to that statement and an even larger ‘Thank You’ to a player who has been one of the best free transfers in Premier League history.