Jurgen Klopp has offered another update on the future of James Milner, insisting it is 'not fair' to assume the Liverpool midfielder has been offered a contract extension.
The Reds' boss recently opened up on Milner's position at the club and claimed he was 'in talks' with the 36-year-old ahead of his current deal expiring in the summer.
Despite initial conversations over his next steps being held, Klopp has made clear that an agreement is not currently in place and wants negotiations to remain private.
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Milner has been a valued member of the first-team since joining from Manchester City in the summer of 2015 and remains an important figure at Anfield despite his playing time reducing with age.
Issuing an update on the current state of play between Liverpool and the versatile midfielder in his programme notes for last night's match with Leeds United, Klopp wrote: "It’s no secret that James is in the last year of his current deal – and again – I emphasise ‘current'.
“I spoke recently about ‘talks’ taking place to extend his stay with us and I thought it might make sense to use this platform to clarify that as I’ve seen some misleading reporting around it.
“By talks I mean I indicated my wish that James stays with us beyond this season, in a playing capacity. James will keep playing, he has told me this. So he should, by the way.
“The level he is at, physically, technically and in terms of personal desire and hunger for more, means he should play on for as long as that lasts.
“I hope it will be here and that is what I have told those at the club who take on these tasks.
“It’s not fair or right to then jump to the conclusion that an offer has been made, because I don’t think that’s fair on James.
“I know I don’t normally go into this much detail on matters such as this, but given how conscientious James is when it comes to not putting private things into the public domain, I wanted to make the actual position clear.
“As should be the case, these things will get picked up in private and James will keep doing for us what he has done during my entire time working with him.
“He gives his all, he helps the collective and he sets the standards. We are all very blessed to have him at our club.”
Milner was deployed as a late substitute in yesterday evening's victory over his former side Leeds, which represented his 276th appearance for the Reds in all competitions.
The Whites have previously been named as a potential next destination in his successful career, though it remans to be seen what the outcome of recent transfer talks will be.
