Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes that Reds boss Brendan Rodgers may have offered James Milner the captain's armband at Anfield to tempt him to move to the club.
Milner is out of contract at Manchester City this summer and Liverpool are expected to complete his signing on a free transfer over the coming days. The England midfielder will then link up with the Reds on 1st July, after his contract at the Etihad Stadium expires.
Carragher has mused at how the midfielder may fit into a Liverpool midfield which will be without Steven Gerrard next season. And the former defender is not sure Milner will operate in a holding role, seeing him more as an engine.
He wrote on social network Kicca: "The news of the likely arrival of James Milner at Liverpool throws up a few questions, I think it's a very good signing a free transfer who can play in a few positions & got great experience.
"A good character which you can see from the fact he's left Man City in the Champions League for Liverpool shows that regular starts mean more to him at this time than being a squad player with more chance of picking up trophies at City", he continued.
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"Brendan Rodgers will have spoken to him about where he sees him fitting in but he's very similar to Jordan Henderson & I have no doubt one reason he's joining is to play in a more central role rather than out wide.
"Could Milner play a holding role? Maybe but I don't think that's what suits him, his main strength is his engine which could suit him & Jordan to both play alongside a holding midfielder (Can?) but his best position is tucked in from the right in a central role which is also Jordan Henderson's so it'll be interesting how those two fit into next years midfield set up."
Carragher also raised the prospect of Milner taking the captain's armband vacated by Gerrard, suggesting that vice-captain Jordan Henderson may not automatically step up into the role.
"Also the fact that Brendan Rodgers wouldn't confirm Jordan Henderson as this seasons captain even though he was captain in Gerrard's absence last season makes me think him & Milner could be competing for the armband!
"Was that another thing that enticed Milner to join? A few thoughts on the subject but all in all I think it's a good signing & glad he'll be wearing the red of LFC hopefully when it's confirmed in the next week or so."
Milner had also been linked with Arsenal, although it has been claimed the Gunners were not prepared to meet the former Leeds United man's wage demands.
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