James Milner returns to Anfield for the first time since equalling the record for Premier League appearances, as Liverpool face Brighton in the FA Cup.

The ultimate journeyman spent eight years on Merseyside between 2015 and 2023, playing his part in Liverpool’s Premier League and Champions League triumphs along the way.

Since joining Brighton on a free transfer at the end of the 22/23 season, the 40-year-old has shown no signs of slowing down.

After coming off the bench during the Seagulls’ defeat to Aston Villa, Milner made his record 653rd appearance in the Premier League, the same number as his former teammate Gareth Barry.

As Milner looks set to return to Anfield, we uncovered the Liverpool stats behind his incredible achievement.

James Milner: Premier League Appearances by Team

In a career that has spanned 24 years, it is no surprise to learn that Milner’s 653 Premier League appearances have come whilst playing for six different clubs.

As well as Liverpool and Brighton, Milner has also starred for Leeds, Newcastle, Aston Villa, and Manchester City.

However, the bulk of Milner’s games have come whilst playing for Liverpool (230), which makes up 35% of all his Premier League appearances.

His most prolific season for Liverpool came in 2016-17, when he made 36 appearances and scored 7 goals.

Source: Transfermarkt

James Milner: Premier League Appearances by Manager

Having spent over a third of his Premier League career at Anfield, the majority of Milner’s appearances have come under Liverpool managers.

The Englishman was signed on a free transfer from Manchester City under Brendan Rodgers in 2016.

However, after just eight appearances, the Northern Irishman was sacked by Liverpool and swiftly replaced by Jurgen Klopp.

The rest, as they say, is history, and Milner went on to star a further 222 times for the Reds under the charismatic German – the most of any other manager.

Source: Transfermarkt

James Milner: Premier League Appearances by Minutes

In total, Milner has 40,686 minutes of Premier League football under his belt, and 31% of those minutes have come for Liverpool.

Milner played 12,940 minutes of top-flight football for the Reds during his eight seasons with the club.

Again, the majority of Milner’s minutes have been under Jurgen Klopp, who granted him more Premier League minutes than any other manager (12,220).

Source: Transfermarkt

James Milner: Premier League Appearances by Teammates

Milner’s Liverpool teammates dominate the list of players to have played alongside the veteran the most during his 653 games.

Roberto Firmino was signed in the same window as Milner, and leads the way, having featured in 197 games with the Englishman.

The legendary striker is followed by a Liverpool contingent of Jordan Henderson (166), Mo Salah (157), Sadio Mane (144), Trent Alexander-Arnold (143) and Andy Robertson (140).

Source: Opta Analyst

Curiously, Virgil Van Dijk and Alisson feature lower than you might expect on the list. Milner’s Manchester City teammates Yaya Toure (122), Gareth Barry (134), David Silva (121) and Joe Hart (138) have all lined up alongside the versatile midfielder more often.

The Liverpool duo will be more than happy to make up for lost time on Saturday – as will the Anfield crowd.

(Featured Image by by Stepro/ Wikimedia Commons/ CC BY-SA 4.0)