Football
Melissa Reddy, Correspondent 5y

Milner waiting on Liverpool to discuss new deal

James Milner has not held contract discussions with Liverpool and is waiting on the club to begin the process.

The vice-captain, who has entered the final year of his current deal, wants to extend his stay on Merseyside with Jurgen Klopp eager to retain his services.

The manager has said "without players like Milner, success in football is absolutely impossible" and while it is on Liverpool's agenda to reward the 33-year-old, no negotiations have taken place yet.

"As it stands, last year we spoke to the club and asked them if they wanted to do something and they said not at that time," Milner revealed during the pre-season tour of the United States.

"We haven't heard anything since, so that's where we are at."

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Klopp has stated there will always be a place for Milner at Anfield as long as he is in charge, which the midfielder appreciates, but he would like a concrete commitment from Liverpool soon.

"It's obviously nice [to hear that]. All I can do is concentrate on my football and do what I can," he said.

"But in terms of where I am with my contract, that's what has happened up until now and I haven't heard anything from the club.

"Everyone pipes on about my age and stuff I understand you are going to get that.

"There are three things to it: availability, fitness and performance level. Hopefully I am delivering all three.

"I am just going to keep concentrating on my football, keep contributing to Liverpool and be the best player I can be for as long as possible."

Milner, signed as a free agent from Manchester City in the summer of 2015, picked up his first winners' medal with the Reds in June following the 2-0 victory over Tottenham in the Champions League final.

"I won't say it is a burden lifted, but to do something like that was the reason I came here, to lift a trophy," he said.

"I did say it four years ago, that if I ever left here without winning something I would be absolutely devastated.

"To be able to contribute to the history of Liverpool and put one on the board is fantastic. I'm sure it will be the first of many.

"We haven't won as many trophies in our recent history as we should have done. When I was at City, we got that first FA Cup [in 2011] and we managed to kick on from there. You see the quality in the squad now and the players we have... the Champions League isn't an easy one to get, but we managed to make that our first one.

"Hopefully, the belief and confidence and everything we can take from it will help us move on to the next level."

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