James Milner Requested Assurance Over Brendan Rodgers' Future Before Joining Liverpool
James
Milner asked for assurances that Brendan Rodgers would be retained as
Liverpool manager before agreeing to sign for the club.
Milner wanted to make sure that Rodgers would stay on as manager of Liverpool before signing, to ensure that any promises Rodgers made to the player would be kept over the course of his stay. Milner is expected to come in and play a crucial role in Liverpool's team next season, especially considering Steven Gerrard is to leave for LA Galaxy.
The former Leeds United and Aston Villa player has been something of a bit-part player for City in recent seasons, and is believed to have been told he will play in the central midfield role Gerrard is set to leave vacant next season.
Milner will take up a senior role in the club's squad next season - something important to Rodgers because Gerrard will depart - and given the current crop of players are largely young and inexperienced.
Former Liverpool centre back Jamier Carragher earlier this week called for Rodgers to give Milner the club captaincy when he joins. Jordan Henderson is currently vice captain, though Rodgers has delayed the decision over who will take the armband as he looks to see what he squad will look like next season.
The
England international penned a pre-contract agreement with Liverpool on
Thursday, and will join from Manchester City on July 1 on a free
transfer. 29-year-old Milner is set to undergo a medical in the coming
weeks before completing the move officially, and reports already suggest
he will don the number 7 shirt vacated by Luis Suarez upon his arrival.
Milner wanted to make sure that Rodgers would stay on as manager of Liverpool before signing, to ensure that any promises Rodgers made to the player would be kept over the course of his stay. Milner is expected to come in and play a crucial role in Liverpool's team next season, especially considering Steven Gerrard is to leave for LA Galaxy.
The former Leeds United and Aston Villa player has been something of a bit-part player for City in recent seasons, and is believed to have been told he will play in the central midfield role Gerrard is set to leave vacant next season.
That
was a crucial factor in Milner's decision to join the Reds, given he is
looking for regular first team football in his favoured position.
Milner has walked away from Champions League football with Manuel
Pellegrini's City in order to play at Anfield.
Milner will take up a senior role in the club's squad next season - something important to Rodgers because Gerrard will depart - and given the current crop of players are largely young and inexperienced.
Former Liverpool centre back Jamier Carragher earlier this week called for Rodgers to give Milner the club captaincy when he joins. Jordan Henderson is currently vice captain, though Rodgers has delayed the decision over who will take the armband as he looks to see what he squad will look like next season.
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