Liverpool
Liverpool

Liverpool’s decision to deny Jurgen Klopp’s request going into the summer has pleased the club fans. The Reds are in serious need of an overhaul in the summer transfer window following a disastrous season that saw them get ousted from of all four competitions they were participating in and sit sixth in the league, seven points outside the Champions League places.

A lot of changes are overdue in the midfield for Liverpool as they need to bolster the area quite considerably. Most of the blame of their struggles this season has been pinned on the midfield, which hasn’t seen a world-class signing since the acquisition of Thiago Alcantara in the summer of 2020. There is also an update on vice-captain James Milner’s current predicament, as his contract is set to expire in the summer, which in particular has had the Reds’ fans embracing it.

Liverpool
While Jurgen Klopp wants Liverpool to extend James Milner’s stay, the club is against keeping the soon-to-be 38-year-old amidst a midfield revolution. Credits: Twitter

Liverpool yet to begin extension talks with Milner, leaving fans joyed with the decision

Milner joined Liverpool in 2015 after leaving Manchester City on a free transfer. He has since went on to make 321 appearances for the Anfield team, and despite his sterling service, many fans believe the 37-year-old is past his prime. However, Klopp does not hold the same opinion; according to David Ornstein of The Athletic, he is in favour of Milner receiving a one-year extension when his current deal expires in the summer.

The German manager is reported to still admire Milner’s leadership, experience, and versatility as a right-back and midfielder. Despite this, Milner and Liverpool have not yet begun contract negotiations, and if there is no progress, the veteran may follow Roberto Firmino and leave on a free transfer at the end of the current campaign.

With their contracts are set to expire at the end of the season, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are both expected to leave Merseyside as well. Nonetheless, a substantial portion of the fans seem to be content with Liverpool’s stance on Milner. Here are some of the best reactions to the news broke out by Ornstein:

According to the reports that have been dwelling since the last summer, Liverpool are ‘increasingly unlikely’ to sign Borussia Dortmund and England midfielder Jude Bellingham, who has been their top priority target. That’s in spite of the fact that Bellingham was standing next to former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard as he spoke well of the teenaged sensation in an interview following England’s victory over Ukraine.