A Liverpool player has decided to RETIRE from professional football and will say goodbye at the end of the current Premier League season.

Liverpool, September 26, 2025 — Anfield was rocked today by news no one quite expected so soon: James Milner, the tireless veteran and heartbeat of Liverpool’s modern era, has confirmed he will retire at the end of the 2025–26 campaign. The 39-year-old’s decision was revealed in a rain-soaked video from the AXA Training Centre, his voice breaking as he declared: “After 23 years of this beautiful madness, it’s time to step aside. But Liverpool—you’ll have my heart forever.”

Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano amplified the announcement with his trademark “Here we go” tweet at 2:17 PM BST, sparking global tributes and sending #MilnerLegend trending within minutes. For the Kop, it was a gut punch that blended pride, sorrow, and gratitude all at once.

Milner’s career reads like folklore. Since arriving from Manchester City in 2015 for just £7.5m, he’s been Liverpool’s Swiss Army knife—covering everywhere from full-back to midfield, even pulling on goalkeeper gloves once in the Carabao Cup. His resume includes 332 Reds appearances, the 2019 Champions League, and the long-awaited Premier League crown in 2020. Klopp once called him “indestructible”; Slot, speaking today, simply said: “Jimmy is the heartbeat—he teaches, leads, never complains. We’ll fight for every trophy with him in mind.”

Though still contributing—12 starts this season, two assists, and a viral goal-line clearance against City—nagging knee problems and family priorities have tipped the scales. A Leeds-born fighter, Milner now looks toward life beyond the pitch, with coaching badges already underway and whispers of a role in Slot’s staff.

The news comes as Liverpool chase glory on multiple fronts, perched top of the Premier League but nursing injuries to key men like Alexander-Arnold and Núñez. Fans flooded social media with tributes, from Klopp’s “My warrior” to Roy Keane’s blunt praise: “Class. Proper pro.” Even rivals chimed in—Declan Rice admitted: “I learned loads facing you.”

Milner’s farewell will be more than a season; it will be a celebration of graft, professionalism, and longevity. Tomorrow’s match against Crystal Palace offers the first glimpse of a long goodbye, with banners already planned: “800 Games. Infinite Heart.”

From his Leeds debut at 16 to trophies at City and legendary nights at Liverpool, Milner’s journey has been one of quiet greatness. As he prepares to bow out, the feeling on Merseyside is clear: football will march on, but without Milner, it will shine just a little less brightly.