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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
Liverpool are yet to open talks with James Milner over a new contract, report The Athletic.
What’s the word?
Milner arrived at Anfield on a free transfer in 2015 and he has since become a very important player for the Reds, averaging 44 appearances per season for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
His current deal is set to expire at the end of the season and despite approaching the club over the prospect of negotiating new terms, Liverpool said they were not ready to open discussions, and talks are still yet to get underway despite that happening early in the summer.
There are reportedly three concerns over Milner’s situation – availability, fitness and performances – and with Milner now 33 there may be concern over his ability to sustain the same levels beyond summer 2020.
Another stumbling block could be his wages. He is said to be on £125,000 a week and although he is unlikely to get that kind of money elsewhere – at least in England – it is possible that his demands may not be met by the club.
Mistake to let him go
Whilst it is understandable that the club are unwilling to open contract talks with an ageing player who now primarily acts as a back-up, Milner has proved his fitness throughout his spell at Anfield and his performances and commitment to the club deserve to be rewarded with a new deal.
He is still one of fittest members of the Reds’ squad, once again winning Liverpool’s ‘acid test’ on the first day of pre-season – a test of endurance which consists of players running laps around the training ground at increased speeds.
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Since Klopp’s arrival he has always been available and performed to a high standard on a consistent basis, and his reliability is invaluable for a team looking to compete in the league and in Europe.
His experience and presence around the dressing could be sorely missed if he departed, and it would likely be very difficult to replace him with a player of similar attributes in terms of ability and knowledge of the game.
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