Newcastle saw a late offer rejected by Liverpool veteran James Milner, with the Reds ace signing a new one-year deal at Anfield – a player that Alan Shearer was full of praise for in 2016, branding him a “manager’s dream”.
The 36-year-old has agreed to remain at Liverpool for an eighth season as he closes in on Frank Lampard’s record of 609 Premier League appearances. Just 21 behind, Milner could reach that figure during 2022-23.
Reports on Tuesday say that Milner chose to reject offers from Newcastle, Villa and numerous MLS clubs to put pen to paper on a Liverpool contract. Of course, Milner played 135 times for Newcastle between 2004 and 2008.
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Shearer is a big fan of Milner and speaking about the 61-time England international back in 2016, the Newcastle legend labelled him a “manager’s dream”. Shearer played alongside Milner at Newcastle.
“He is a manager’s dream with his attitude,” Shearer told MOTD on New Year’s Eve in 2016, as per the Echo. “Wherever you ask him to play, he’ll do you a job. He is brilliant.”
Shearer 2016 praise of Milner as he rejects Newcastle
He would have been a sensational signing for Newcastle. Eddie Howe brought in proven Premier League players in January, alongside Bruno Guimaraes, and they have worked a treat.
Milner would have added to that. He is still one of the fittest players at Liverpool and shows no signs of slowing down. He is more than capable of playing two games a week and on a free, could have given Newcastle two or three years.
Cover at right-back, left-back and in midfield – Milner would have been a superb signing on a free. But instead, he has stayed at Liverpool. Whether that is the right decision for him, remains to be seen.
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