James Milner explains Diogo Jota gesture after Sky Sports commentators’ mistake

James Milner replicated Diogo Jota’s celebration after scoring for Brighton against Manchester City – but the ex-Liverpool man was accused of copying Erling Haaland’s celebration

James Milner paid tribute to Diogo Jota by using his celebration after scoring for Brighton in their win over Manchester City – but admitted it was “probably a bad impression by me.”

The ex-Liverpool star acknowledged his former team-mate, who tragically died earlier this summer, by replicating his celebration when he converted from the spot. Milner and Jota spent several years alongside each other at Anfield before the veteran moved on to the Amex Stadium.

However he was keen to show that Jota remained at the forefront of his mind when he scored from 12 yards. Milner has even chosen to change his number to 20, which was the number worn by Jota before it was retired at Anfield.

The ex-Red said: “Obviously Jots meant so much to everyone. It is an honour to wear his number this season. I have seen him doing it [the celebration] and it was probably a bad impression by me.”

Milner’s celebration did see Sky Sports commentator Alan Smith heavily criticised after he claimed it was a mimic of Erling Haaland’s celebration, later correcting himself live on air, but not before a number of supporters hammered him on social media.

READ MORE: Man City stunned by Brighton’s late show as Pep Guardiola endures nightmare startREAD MORE: Sky Sports commentator accused of ‘disrespecting’ Diogo Jota during Brighton vs Man City

One said: said: “Sorry Alan Smith that’s Jota’s celebration.” Another claimed: “Did Alan Smith just call James Milner paying tribute to Diogo Jota with his celebration as Erling Haaland’s? The absolute disrespect…”

Milner meanwhile ensured that City’s nightmare start to the season continued with Pep Guardiola’s side now having just three points from a possible nine.

That comes after they were beaten by Tottenham at the Etihad last week. Brighton meanwhile picked up their first win of the campaign, responding impressively after their loss at Everton, with Milner admitting the international break is coming at a bad time.

He said: “Unfortunately we have the international break. We’d have liked to have carried on the momentum. The boys did a good job at keeping it to 1-0 [when I came on]. I was trying to stay calm [for the penalty] and I have taken penalties before when I have come off the bench. it’s not the easiest thing but I hope my years of experience helped.”

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