ReactionJames Milner on last Liverpool game, fan appreciation and Saints draw
James Milner detailed his appreciation for Liverpool fans and described his own emotions after playing his final match for the club on Sunday.
The vice-captain appeared for the Reds for the last time as the 2022-23 campaign concluded with a topsy-turvy 4-4 Premier League draw against Southampton.
With Milner set to depart this summer, his start at St Mary’s brought an end to an eight-year spell that has seen the No.7 be an integral figure in clinching six major honours, including the Premier League and Champions League.
Southampton 4-4 Liverpool: Highlights
Post-match on the south coast, he spoke to Liverpoolfc.com to reflect on an eventful last day, his relationship with the supporters and more…
On the frantic nature of the draw with Southampton…
Yeah, it was one of those games at the end of the season where you get in front like that and you take your foot off the gas slightly and you get punished at this level. And that’s what happened; you have to be at absolutely 100 per cent and obviously we weren’t. But it says a lot about the boys to be 4-2 down and to keep going until the end and get the two to get it level. And we had good chances to go and win it. Entertaining for the neutral, disappointing not to win but the boys kept fighting until the end, you could see that. It wasn’t our best performance, we know we should have done better with the goals we conceded, but the fight was always there.
On there being positives to take from Liverpool’s form in the final months of the season…
Yeah, for sure. Obviously [there was] inconsistency at the start of the season, but you saw towards the end – the last two games take them out of it obviously, but before that – the football we played, the consistency, it looked like we were back to our best and that’s important I think to take into next season.
On the emotions after finishing his final game for the Reds…
Weird. Last time you played for Liverpool, so it’s obviously a big deal. Last time in front of the fans and the reception we got was incredible. It has been incredible from day one since I’ve been at the club. Obviously it was emotional saying bye to the guys and the staff, the amount of work they put in with us and the times we’ve shared together, it’s been special to be part of it. Obviously putting on the Liverpool shirt for the last time is going to be a big deal. It has been an honour to wear the shirt and hopefully I’ve contributed as much as I can since I’ve been here. I’ll have great memories of this place.
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On his relationship with the supporters…
They have been incredible all over the world since I got here. You realise how big the club is when you travel and you go around the world. You’re on the other side of the world and the amount of fans there are – everywhere you go there are Liverpool fans. The support we get and some of the performances and results we’ve got at Anfield I don’t think could have been achieved at any other stadium in the world. It’s a special club to play for. The ovation we got today was incredible. It’s been a fantastic eight years and what we’ve managed to share. They have travelled all over; the amount of money they’ve spent following us and getting to European finals, all over Europe and the Club World Cup. I can’t even imagine the effort and the money they have gone to, to support us all the way through. That’s amazing. Hopefully the trophies we’ve won, the times we’ve shared, the trophy parades and those moments together, hopefully it was all worth it.
On whether he could have imagined the success that would follow when he signed eight years ago…
I’ve been asked that before and I don’t know, this was the aim obviously. The aim was to win a league title, the aim was to add another European Cup to the trophy cabinet. It was the plan – plans don’t normally come off like this. It is mission accomplished if you like in the time. This team is a special team with a special manager, amazing group of staff, unbelievable stadium, great training ground and some fantastic young players as well. It’s the end of my story here but the end of this era for Liverpool I’m sure isn’t ended and there’s going to be lots of trophies to come for this special group of players.