Milner casts off accolades as he focuses on Man City return

Liverpool midfielder James Milner has explained what his side must do if they are to keep Manchester City at bay and reach the Champions League semi-finals.

The Reds take a 3-0 lead to the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday for the second leg of their quarter-final, knowing a clean sheet will put them into the last four of the competition for the first time since 2007.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have registered back-to-back clean sheets, following up their European win with a goalless draw in the Merseyside derby at Everton, and that has given them more confidence ahead of their trip to Manchester.

Milner has been the key player in both games and while the 32-year-old is making light of his age in terms of the job he does pressing in midfield, he stressed he is just a cog in the whole machine.

“My running numbers are pretty consistent throughout the year, we get them regularly but I think it was slightly higher the other night (against City),” he said.

“That is part of the midfield job and it’s been part of my game being able to cover ground and it is something that’s needed in this team.

“We are always pressing and you can’t leave your mate to press on his own, you have to press in numbers and if one person doesn’t do their job or get on the front foot and cover the ground and close the gap then the team gets out and you are under pressure.

“Everyone puts a shift in and it’s very easy to see when someone isn’t doing it – and it doesn’t happen very often.”

 

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