Say what you will about his ability but James Milner deserves some serious respect for choosing to leave Man City in favour of a move to Liverpool. Reports this morning suggest that the England midfielder will be confirmed as a Liverpool player this week following the end of his Man City contract.
That's despite the powers that be in Manchester offering a whopping £165,000 a week to keep him at the Etihad Stadium. The Guardian are reporting that Milner has made a final decision and he is choosing regular first team football at Anfield over the riches of Manchester.
The England international is being touted as a replacement for Steven Gerrard and while some fans may baulk at that comparison, it could turn out to be a fair one. Milner may be a man for any job at City but he is at his most effective in the roaming midfield role that Gerrard made his own for a number of years.
Milner is set to be the first of two 'free' signings to kick off Liverpool's transfer window. Danny Ings is still set to join with a compensation fee with Burnley all that's left to be agreed.
Who will be managing Milner and Ings is another question entirely. Jurgen Klopp has seemingly ruled himself out but today remains key in Brendan Rodgers' future. Tom Werner, the club chairman, has flown in from Boston to meet the Liverpool boss under the guise of an 'end of year review'.
Sources close to the club have continually stated that Rodgers job is safe. However, the Liverpool owners are thought to be disappointed with the club's return to mediocrity this season and depending on how today's meeting goes, the chance of Rodgers leaving before the start of next season could increase significantly.
