Jurgen Klopp had transfer request blocked by Liverpool just months before exit | Football | Sport

Liverpool turned down Jurgen Klopp’s pleas to retain James Milner just six months before the German manager’s exit was announced. Ex-England star Milner was signed by Brendan Rodgers in 2015 but became an invaluable asset under Klopp during their eight-year collaboration. Milner clinched six major trophies under Klopp’s guidance, including the Premier League and Champions League.

Despite his reduced appearances in the starting eleven in his final years at Anfield, making just seven league starts in his last season, Klopp recognised Milner’s significant contribution in the dressing room and fought to extend his contract beyond the summer of 2023. However, the club’s top brass rejected this, leading to Milner’s move to Brighton and Hove Albion as a free agent at the end of the 2022-23 season.

Klopp paid a heartfelt tribute to his time with Milner, dubbing him the ultimate role model. Reflecting on his tenure with Milner, Klopp shared: “A pleasure and a challenge. In the same moment I.T. means a pleasure because of his exceptional attitude, really.

“I think for a lot of experienced players you use from time to time the word ‘role model’. But Millie is the role model, how he puts himself pretty much in place to be every day 100 per cent ready.”

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“It’s a pure example; absolutely outstanding. [It was] a challenge because especially in the beginning everything was alright when he was starting, but when he didn’t start then that was a bit tricky. I never saw a bigger mood change in an instant!”.

“Similar to Lucas Leiva, I would say. But he played a lot of games so he didn’t have that problem now too often, but no, really, really, really good.”

Milner confirmed that whilst Klopp had been eager for him to remain at Anfield, the club ultimately overruled the manager’s wishes.

“It’s all good because the manager wanted to keep me – which as a player is what you want,” Milner previously said. “Obviously the club decided a different way. In my head it felt like it could be a good time, so I’m content with how it’s all come about.

“It was probably about three weeks ago that I heard from the club. Because I hadn’t heard anything, in my own mind I had probably decided myself that I would be going. I will continue to play football, so yes I could be back in front of the Kop potentially. It’s an option.”

Milner’s heartfelt exit from Liverpool came just half a year before Klopp stunned fans with his own departure announcement in January 2024. After nearly nine years at the helm, the revered German manager revealed he would be leaving at the season’s end, citing exhaustion as the reason.

Fast forward two years and Klopp has swapped the dugout for an executive role as head of football at Red Bull, while Milner, now 40, continues to ply his trade in the Premier League.

This Wednesday saw Milner match Gareth Barry’s record for the most Premier League appearances (653), coming on as a substitute for Brighton in their 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa. The veteran midfielder now returns to Anfield as the Seagulls face off against his old club Liverpool in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday evening.

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