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- Milner, 37, discussed the mindset and workrate needed to succeed at the top
- Back off Erik ten Hag! Insipid Man United performances are on the players – not the manager – Listen to why on It’s All Kicking Off
James Milner has hit out at a former young team-mate at Liverpool for their attitude, before heaping praise on the unnamed star for turning it around.
The midfielder – who can also fill in at full back – joined Brighton in the summer after leaving the Reds following an eight-year-spell where he made 332 appearances.
Despite being 37, he is still playing in the Premier League 21 years after his top flight debut.
Milner has been known for his professionalism and workrate throughout his time in the game and has also represented the likes of Leeds, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Man City.
However, when reflecting on his time at Liverpool and the attitude required to succeed, he questioned one youngster at the club.
James Milner hit out at a former young team-mate at Liverpool for their attitude, before heaping praise on the unnamed star for turning it around
Milner left Liverpool in the summer after an eight-year-spell where he made 332 appearances
‘One of the young lads at Liverpool who had come through, he had amazing ability, was a bit of a joker and a great lad but maybe he didn’t apply himself as much as he could,’ he told Jake Humphrey on the High Performance podcast.
‘He didn’t do what he should do all the time. I remember in pre-season and we’re in the ice baths and we had 10 minutes, 15 minutes talking at him and it was one of those where you feel he’s listening but you know it’s in one ear and out the other.
‘You think, “we’re going to have to have that chat again” and you get down the line and we have the conversation again and keep pushing him, every little thing.
‘It’s tough because you see so many players who are amazing and have the ability but don’t realise the opportunity they have until it’s gone and it’s too late.
‘They’re then 24, 25 and out of the game because they haven’t embraced all the facilities.’
Nevertheless, Milner went on to explain how his message finally got through and heaped praise on the team-mate for making the most of his opportunity.
He added: ‘They have everything and the kid at Liverpool is doing so well now.
‘And I’m delighted for him and you can see the character, how he’s changed and he’s kept that bubbliness and everything he’s about, but he’s doing really well.
Milner insisted his message finally got across and said the youngster ‘is doing so well now’
The 37-year-old is now at Brighton and has been known for his professionalism in his career
‘His attitude is top-notch and, sometimes, you just need to help him find that path, or the right way to do that.’
Milner is third in the list of all-time Premier League appearances with 629, just three behind Ryan Giggs and 23 behind Gareth Barry.
The 37-year-old has played 13 times for Brighton in all competitions this season, with the Seagulls sitting in seventh place in the Premier League and having already qualified from their Europa League group.
They return to action on Thursday when they host Marseille before travelling to the Emirates to face Arsenal on Sunday.
