Speaking after Liverpool secured the free transfer signing of James Milner, Steven Gerrard predicted he would make a swift impact on Merseyside.
James Milner was announced as Liverpool’s first signing of the summer at the beginning of June, in a move hailed by departing Reds captain Steven Gerrard.
He will join up with Brendan Rodgers’ squad on July 1, pending the results of a routine medical, along with fellow free signings Danny Ings and Adam Bogdan.
Milner’s was met with wholesale positivity from Liverpool supporters, and Gerrard is much the same.
“He’ll bring a vast majority of experience. I think it’s a very safe signing in the fact that he’s won things,” Gerrard said this week.
“He’s a proven winner—I think he’s still hungry. I know he’s a very fit boy, very professional and he won’t let anyone down. I know James very well and he’ll be very eager to come and prove to Liverpool fans that he’s good enough to be in the XI.
“So that made sense—we got him on a free transfer as well, so really happy with that one.
“He’ll settle in very quickly. He’s used to the league, he’s very experienced at domestic level and a very experienced international player.
Gerrard played alongside Milner for England during his international career, and as he joins LA Galaxy this summer much of the expectation will be passed on to the 29-year-old in terms of adding experience to Rodgers’ midfield.
This is something he won’t have a problem with, according to Gerrard.
“I think he’ll bring energy to the midfield, he’s a good passer, he’s safe in possession.
“I’m very confident he’ll slot in very nicely and he’ll adapt to Brendan’s way of playing very quickly.
“I can picture him now with Lucas [Leiva], Joe Allen and [Jordan] Henderson and I can see them doing a good job.”
Having received the seal of approval from his predecessor, Milner will now look to make an early impression this pre-season.
Whether Gerrard’s ideal midfield of Lucas, Allen, Henderson and Milner is any Liverpool supporter’s dream is another matter entirely.
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