After the Manchester City man agrees to join the Reds, a look at if he could be the man to lead them.
James Milner’s imminent arrival at Anfield has reopened a debate which laid dormant for all of a week.
Character.
It is one of those words which is often mentioned but rarely defined. It becomes most apparent when it isn’t even there; namely, throughout a large portion of Liverpool FC’s 2014-15 season.
A 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester United to hand them back initiative in the race for Champions League qualification? No character.
A meagre, meek surrender at Wembley against relegation-threatened Aston Villa? No character.
Conceding six goals away to Stoke, five in the opening 45 minutes? Character well and truly gone.
Liverpool need it and in Milner, who will sign for the club on a free transfer, they have received it. Manuel Pellegrini heralded the “balls” of his midfielder; indeed, part of Milner’s allure is what he does off the ball, rather than on it.
Characters become captains. Liverpool, at present, require a captain.
Even Jamie Carragher suggested Milner could be an option to take the armband. The former Reds defender wrote on Kicca: “The fact that Brendan Rodgers wouldn’t confirm Jordan Henderson as this [2015-16] season’s captain even though he was captain in Gerrard’s absence last season makes me think him and Milner could be competing for the armband.”
Henderson remains favourite – he did little wrong in Steven Gerrard’s absence – but it is a debate worth considering.
Here are the potential runners and riders for the armband on a full-time basis.
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