‘Touch wood’: Liverpool player addresses his future with contract expiring in eight months

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James Milner talked about his future in a press conference on Monday. The Liverpool midfielder is out of contract next year.

James Milner is one of several Liverpool players whose contracts expire in 2023. He’s the only one, however, playing at the age of 36.

So what exactly is his plan? Milner can’t play on forever, after all, and every season could be his last – at Liverpool or anywhere. As it turns out, he doesn’t have a plan.

One journalist asked him about his future in Monday’s press conference. The midfielder was emphatic with his response.

“No [I have no plan],” said Milner. “Like I said, at this moment in time the most important thing is us trying to get to a level we want to be at consistently and I’m trying as best I can to help influence that.

“Whatever the manager asks me to do, whatever position that is or whatever role he wants me take up, I’m ready to do that. Touch wood, hopefully I can stay fit.”

James Milner and his future

Milner will turn 37 this season but Liverpool still rely on him. Sometimes that’s for his experience and leadership. Other times it’s because he can still perform at the highest level against the biggest teams.

That was most evident against Manchester City. Milner was fantastic at right-back in that game, keeping Phil Foden at bay. Having a player in your squad who can play in midfield and both full-back positions to that level is incredibly valuable – even at that age.

But Milner must step aside at some point. Both Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are out of contract next year, too, and we’re not sure how that swings things.

Maybe it sees Milner leave as Liverpool overhaul their midfield. Maybe it sees him stay to keep a little bit of consistency in the squad.

Either way, there’s a big decision coming this summer for both Milner and Liverpool.