Manchester City chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak made a personal attempt to convince James Milner not to leave for Liverpool. Milner signed for Liverpool on Thursday.

The Manchester Evening News says the club's chairman held face-to-face talks with the England midfielder following the final game of the season against Southampton.

City were desperate to keep hold of Milner - offering him a deal worth £165,000-a-week to stay at the Etihad.

But the out-of-contract 29-year-old rejected the offer and this week agreed a deal to join Liverpool.