Champions League – Liverpool’s James Milner has last laugh after overcoming Tottenham

JAMES MILNER was ridiculed in many quarters when he left a successful, title-winning Manchester City side to join Liverpool.
Liverpool's Andrew Robertson and James Milner celebrate victory in Madrid. Picture: Mike Egerton/PALiverpool's Andrew Robertson and James Milner celebrate victory in Madrid. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA
Liverpool's Andrew Robertson and James Milner celebrate victory in Madrid. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA

He took a pay cut to do so because he wanted a more regular role having become frustrated at being left out for big matches.

Ironic then that he was on the bench for the Champions League final, but ultimately playing an important part as a second-half substitute, using his vast experience to get the side over the line when Tottenham turned up the pressure.

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However, with a Champions League winners’ medal to add to his collection the 33-year-old Leeds United product has had the last laugh.

Liverpool's Jordan Henderson (left) celebrates with manager Jurgen Klopp. Picture: Martin Rickett/PALiverpool's Jordan Henderson (left) celebrates with manager Jurgen Klopp. Picture: Martin Rickett/PA
Liverpool's Jordan Henderson (left) celebrates with manager Jurgen Klopp. Picture: Martin Rickett/PA

“When I signed for the club I was desperate to add trophies as this club expects to win trophies and it has an amazing history but we want to create our own history,” he said.

“We have started that and put a trophy on the board. When I was at City and we won the first FA Cup, that was massive for us and that gave us the belief and the winning mentality that we can do it and hopefully this will be the same.

“We will enjoy it for as long as we can but we will come back pre-season and go again.

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“I think it will be nice going to Melwood seeing number six (of their European Cups) there.

Liverpool's Jordan Henderson lifts the trophy with his team-mates in Madrid. Picture: Peter Byrne/PALiverpool's Jordan Henderson lifts the trophy with his team-mates in Madrid. Picture: Peter Byrne/PA
Liverpool's Jordan Henderson lifts the trophy with his team-mates in Madrid. Picture: Peter Byrne/PA

“It feels amazing. Any time you win a trophy is really special.

“Obviously after last year (losing to Real Madrid in the final), getting 97 points in the league and not getting it over the line, this was great heart from the boys.

“We did not play well but a cup final is all about getting the result.

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“It shows how much we have come on as a team and that is the effort and experience of getting to those finals and those disappointments that we saw the job through.

Tottenham Hotspur's Dele Alli congratulates Liverpool's Jordan Henderson after the final whistle. Picture: Mike Egerton/PATottenham Hotspur's Dele Alli congratulates Liverpool's Jordan Henderson after the final whistle. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA
Tottenham Hotspur's Dele Alli congratulates Liverpool's Jordan Henderson after the final whistle. Picture: Mike Egerton/PA

“You have to enjoy these moments. You play so many games and have disappointments throughout your career, you can be lucky if you win one trophy.

“You have to enjoy it as it does not come around very often.”

As the experienced pro, former Leeds United star Milner has seen plenty in the squad for him to predict there are more trophies to come.

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“The first trophy is always the hardest one to win for a group of players and hopefully that will help us,” he added.

“You can see the improvement over the last few years since the manager has come in and seen how the team has improved.

“That has been something we have done well this year when we have not played well but still got the results.”

The midfielder was also pleased for Mohamed Salah, who scored the opening goal with a penalty – which would have been Milner’s job had he started – after being forced off with injury 30 minutes into last season’s final.

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“After last year and what happened was tough for him and tough for all of us,” he said.

“His numbers do not look so good this season but look at him isolated and he is a victim of his own success.

“But Sadio (Mane) has been incredible and also Bobby (Roberto Firmino) coming back from injury, but Divock (Origi) as well.

“Those three guys, he (Salah) pushes them in training and his finishing is ridiculous as you have seen and he keeps coming up with important goals.

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“You need a good squad to be successful and it is a young squad, which is the most pleasing thing.”

Manager Jurgen Klopp, meanwhile, believes winning his first trophy with Liverpool is only the beginning and the squad he has assembled has its best years still to come.

Salah’s spot-kick and late heroics from substitute Origi saw the Reds crowned champions of Europe for the sixth time as they brought an outstanding season to a memorable conclusion.

The triumph over Mauricio Pochettino’s team saw Klopp end his cup final hoodoo and finally lift a trophy as Liverpool manager – a victory all the sweeter after being pipped to the Premier League crown by a single point by Manchester City

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For Klopp it ended a run of six final defeats but, more importantly, for the majority of the players it was their first senior trophy after losing to Real 12 months ago.

And the Reds manager predicts it will not be the last.

“Now we won something and we will carry on. We want to win things, 100 per cent. I’ve said it, this is only the start for this group,” he said.

“It’s still a wonderful age group, they all have the best times in their careers ahead of them so that’s big.

“For me, I have a lot of silver medals and now I have a golden one so it will be next to the silver medals in my house and that’s cool.

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“But mostly I’m happy for all the other people. When you saw it in the dressing room, everybody felt it but you don’t really know what to do with it.”

Two of Klopp’s senior players, his captain Jordan Henderson, and Milner have endured their fair share of criticism since he took over in October 2015 and Klopp felt putting a trophy in the cabinet was vindication for them and his faith in them.

“I’m happy for the boys. You know what people said about a couple of players of this team,” he added. “Jordan Henderson is captain of the Champions League winner 2019 – that’s satisfying actually. And that Millie did it at the age of 33.

“They are all very important. Without Millie’s dressing-room talks before the game – with a non-native manager – it would not be possible. It’s so important.

“All the things they did during the weeks, how they lifted when we had little downs, it’s just incredible.

“It is really emotional, that’s my main feeling, it’s quite overwhelming.”