Brighton veteran Milner: Some Liverpool youngsters had it too good

Brighton veteran James Milner has recalled clashing with one former Liverpool teammate as he was breaking into the first team.

Milner was well known as a locker room leader with the Reds.

"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 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."

Milner also, however, revealed: "hey have everything and the kid at Liverpool is doing so well now.

"And I'm delighted for him and you can see the character, how he's changed and he's kept that bubbliness and everything he's about, but he's doing really well."