James Milner has hit out at a former young team-mate at Liverpool for their attitude, before heaping praise on the unnamed star for turning it around.
The midfielder - who can also fill in at full back - joined Brighton in the summer after leaving the Reds following an eight-year-spell where he made 332 appearances.
Despite being 37, he is still playing in the Premier League 21 years after his top flight debut.
Milner has been known for his professionalism and workrate throughout his time in the game and has also represented the likes of Leeds, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Man City.
However, when reflecting on his time at Liverpool and the attitude required to succeed, he questioned one youngster at the club.
'One of the young lads at Liverpool who had come through, he had amazing ability, was a bit of a joker and a great lad but maybe he didn’t apply himself as much as he could,' he told Jake Humphrey on the High Performance podcast.
'He didn’t do what he should do all the time. I remember in pre-season and we’re in the ice baths and we had 10 minutes, 15 minutes talking at him and it was one of those where you feel he’s listening but you know it’s in one ear and out the other.
'You think, "we’re going to have to have that chat again" and you get down the line and we have the conversation again and keep pushing him, every little thing.
'It’s tough because you see so many players who are amazing and have the ability but don’t realise the opportunity they have until it’s gone and it’s too late.
'They’re then 24, 25 and out of the game because they haven’t embraced all the facilities.'
Nevertheless, Milner went on to explain how his message finally got through and heaped praise on the team-mate for making the most of his
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