James Milner dedicates 1st goal since 2019 to Diogo Jota – “honour to wear his number” – Liverpool FC

James Milner‘s equalising goal against Man City was his first for nearly six years, and he chose to dedicate it to Diogo Jota while wearing his friend’s No. 20 shirt.

Milner’s equalising penalty against Man City got Brighton back in the game and set the Seagulls up to beat Pep Guardiola’s side 2-1 at the Amex Stadium.

Following his goal, Milner went to the byline and sat on the floor to mimic Jota’s game console celebration, all while wearing the No. 20 shirt.

The 39-year-old chose to take up the No. 20 at Brighton in memory of his friend, Jota, whose funeral he attended this summer following the death of his former teammate.

Speaking after the match on Sunday, Milner told Sky Sports: “Jots meant so much to everyone and to get on the scoresheet, it’s an honour to wear his number this year and get on the field.

“And, you know, I didn’t think I’d score too many goals this season, but I think that’s probably the magic of his number on the shirt and the guy who wore that floating into the boots already.

“So, you know, if that’s the case, hopefully there’s a few more goals to come this year.”

In scoring his first goal since a Liverpool penalty against Leicester in December 2019, Milner became the second-oldest player, at 39 years and 239 days old, to score in the Premier League era.

He also holds the title of being the league’s second-youngest scorer, a feat he managed when netting against Sunderland for Leeds when he was just 16 years and 356 days old.

James Vaughan holds the youngest record, aged 16 years and 270 days when he scored for Everton against Crystal Palace on April 10, 2005, while Teddy Sheringham has the oldest record at 40 years and 268 days when he netted for West Ham against Portsmouth on December 26, 2006.

The title of youngest scorer in English top-flight history belongs to Jason Dozzell, who was just 16 years and 57 days old when he scored for Ipswich against Coventry in February 1984.

Thanks to his late winner against Newcastle, which came just four days before his 17th birthday, Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha is 11th on that list, making him the youngest-ever player to score for the Reds.