Jürgen Klopp has expressed his admiration for James Milner following the midfielder’s remarkable achievement of breaking the Premier League appearance record. Speaking to ESPN, Klopp emphasized that Milner’s contributions were pivotal to the successes Liverpool enjoyed during his time at the club.
Milner recorded his 653rd Premier League appearance on February 11 while playing for Brighton against Aston Villa and subsequently broke Gareth Barry’s longstanding record this past weekend. Having made his top-flight debut at the tender age of 16 with Leeds United in November 2002, Milner has since represented Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Brighton.
Milner, now 40 years old, was in Brighton’s starting lineup for their match against Brentford, marking his historic 654th appearance. Klopp compared Milner’s milestone to “landing on the moon,” and he voiced disbelief at the feat. “Being part of something for eternity is really special,” Klopp remarked.
Throughout his impressive career, Milner has garnered numerous accolades, including a total of 61 caps for the England national team. He played a key role in securing Premier League titles with Manchester City in 2012 and 2014, as well as winning the FA Cup in 2011 and the League Cup in 2014. After joining Liverpool in June 2015, Milner enjoyed further success, winning the Premier League title in 2020, the FA Cup and League Cup in 2022, and the Champions League in 2019 under Klopp’s management.
Reflecting on Milner’s impact, Klopp declared, “Of all the success we had at Liverpool, nothing would’ve happened without him.” His words highlight not only Milner’s skill on the pitch but also his leadership and influence within the team. Klopp described him as “probably the most disciplined, stubborn, professional football player” he had ever worked with.
Milner’s versatility has allowed him to adapt to various playing positions throughout his career, including a stint as a left-back during the 2016-17 season. Klopp noted that such adaptability enhances a player’s longevity in the game, especially when competing against younger talent. He praised Milner’s skill set, stating that he demonstrates only a fraction of his capabilities.
While Milner has yet to announce any future plans as his contract is set to expire in the summer, those close to him suggest he may find the recognition for his achievement a bit overwhelming. Nonetheless, Klopp expressed immense pride in what Milner has accomplished and hopes that, regardless of what comes next, he continues to be a positive influence in football and beyond.
“Now you tell me, is there anybody out there who has a little chance to reach that number of games? Probably not,” Klopp said. “The world desperately needs people like him. I’m so happy for him that he’s reached the landmark.”