Liverpool and Manchester City take to the stage on Sunday as they clash in the Premier League. The Reds can move 11 points clear at the top with a win against Pep Guardiola’s in-form side.
The clash between the two North West clubs is arguably one of the biggest clashes between the two sides in recent years, following their long battle to reach the top, and also the semi-final of the 2022 FA Cup. One player who has crossed the M62 in both the red and blue halves is James Milner.
The midfielder signed for the Citizens in 2010 after agreeing a £26m move from Aston Villa. He went on to make 203 appearances for the club – scoring 19 times and providing 39 assists. He won the Premier League twice during his time at the Etihad Stadium, adding an FA Cup, League Cup and Community Shield to his Greater Manchester haul.
Five years later, the Reds decided to lure the 29-year-old to Anfield when his City contract expired under Brendan Rodgers. And the veteran midfielder would go on to become a Liverpool icon under Jurgen Klopp – he played 332 times for the Reds during a trophy-laden spell at Anfield.
His move to the North West saw him part of the team looking to surpass his former club in league, domestic cup and European success. In doing so, Milner helped Liverpool win their first Premier League crown and was also part of their path to global domination – winning the Champions League, Club World Cup and Super Cup – before leaving in 2023. Speaking after Liverpool’s 2022 FA Cup win, his decision to join the Reds was justified. He said, “That’s why I came here.
“That was the hope, that was part of the motivation. When I came to the city they had not won anything for a long time and it was great to be part of it, the beginning of their success, winning championships and cups.
“Liverpool is an incredible club with an incredible history, but they hadn’t had that much success, they hadn’t won the Premier League, which was worrying. “That was the goal, and if we can achieve that, to win a Premier League here, it would be special. It’s a process and the process has been incredible.”
