News'I just want to keep contributing' - James Milner on reaching 600 league appearances

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James Milner reached another milestone in his storied career at the weekend when he made his 600th league appearance.

Liverpool's vice-captain brought up the landmark when he came on in the second half of the goalless draw with Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon.

Six appearances from his overall tally came in the Football League during a loan spell with Swindon Town in 2003; all the rest have been in the Premier League for the 36-year-old, who has also represented Leeds United, Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Manchester City.

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"It's one of those you probably think about when you're finished," Milner said of the landmark in a recent matchday programme. "You hit milestones and numbers of games, and when you say that number, it is a lot!

"But for me I just want to keep contributing as much as I can at the football club, and that means every day in training and in every game to try to make as big an impact as I can to make the football club successful."

The No.7 continued: "I feel good and you're a long time retired, so I want to keep playing for as long as I can.

"And let's face it, there are worse places to be playing football than for Liverpool Football Club. So it's great to be here and I enjoy the pressure and I enjoy the drive."

Milner is currently fourth on the Premier League's all-time appearances list, with Frank Lampard's total of 609 next in his sights.

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On whether he has ambitions to pass Gareth Barry's record of 653, the midfielder said: "It's a long way off and I'm not looking at that, to be honest.

"Gareth was a machine who kept going and played in every game all the time. It's a bit of a different role for me as I'm not starting every single game, so like I say, it's not something I look at.

"Gaz is obviously a big mate of mine and had an incredible career, but it's not something we've ever really talked about and not something I'll look at at the moment.

"Another 60-odd games is still a long way away at this moment in time, so I'll do what I've always done and take it a game at a time and try to contribute as much as I can."

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