Liverpool's James Milner hoping to equal Premier League appearance record on final day

Liverpool midfielder James Milner is in line to match a Premier League appearance record against Southampton on Sunday.

The Merseyside giants have already confirmed that the veteran will depart Anfield on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of June.

If reports are to be believed, Milner will sign for Brighton & Hove Albion, who will be participating in the Europa League during 2022-23.

Despite those alleged developments, the 37-year-old was used by Jurgen Klopp in the game versus Aston Villa last weekend, featuring for the final 18 minutes of the 1-1 draw.

There is the possibility that Klopp will focus on using players who will be at Anfield next season when they face Southampton in what is effectively a dead-rubber.

Nevertheless, Milner has the opportunity to become just the fifth player to achieve a certain feat in the history of the Premier League.

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Should Milner be given minutes at St Mary's, it will represent the 16th time that he has played in a top-flight fixture on the final day of the season.

Only Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Jamie Carragher and Gareth Barry have played that many times on the concluding weekend of a Premier League campaign.

Milner is already third on the list of the all-time appearance makers in the division, featuring on 618 occasions for five different clubs.

He currently stands just 14 matches adrift of second-placed Ryan Giggs and 34 behind Gareth Barry in top spot.

Liverpool head into the fixture on the South Coast having gone as many as 13 matches without conceding more than once in a single fixture with Southampton.

Klopp's side have also won their last six matches to be played on the final day of a league campaign, whereas Southampton have lost their most recent two concluding games.