‘Jurgen Klopp couldn’t get his way’: Liverpool told player was let go by the ‘stats men’

Follow us on Google Discover

Richard Keys says Jurgen Klopp wanted to ‘keep’ James Milner at Liverpool, but he ‘couldn’t get his way’. 

The 37-year-old left Liverpool this summer after his contract expired and joined Europa League side Brighton and Hove Albion.

But, according to Richard Keys, James Milner’s exit was ’driven by the stats men’ and now he will be a ‘big loss’, as he wrote in his personal blog. 

Added to Milner, four more midfield players left this summer, perhaps two were unexpected in Jordan Henderson and Fabinho.

There were calls for Jurgen Klopp to reshape his squad this summer, especially in the middle of the park, but perhaps not to this extent. 

They have to deal with it now and Keys shared his thoughts on Milner’s exit, as well as Henderson’s.

“They’ll miss Henderson and Milner,” said Keys. “I know the Milner decision was driven by the stats men, but sometimes you’ve got to go with your gut.

“Klopp knows Milner is a loss. A big loss. But he couldn’t get his way and keep him.”

Will Liverpool sign new midfield players?

There are cries for more names to be added, Jamie Carragher had his say on the Romeo Lavia situation.

It’s a case of Deja vu for the Reds because, in comparison to last summer, they are going down the same road and that’s leaving themselves threadbare in the middle of the park.

The fans have every right to be annoyed and question the club not pushing the boat out this summer because it cost them Champions League football last time out, and the same will happen again.