Milner keen for Liverpool to clear first Champions League hurdle

James Milner says it will be bitterly disappointing if Liverpool fail to clear the first hurdle of Champions League qualifiers and miss out on a place at Europe’s top table.

Jurgan Klopp’s men finished fourth in the Premier League last season and made it into the qualifying rounds of the Champions League.

And Milner is desperate for all the hard work of last season not to go to waste.

He said: “It’s not easy to get into the qualifiers even – top four in the Premier League is tough.

(Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

“We’ve done part of the job but we have to finish that now. It would be disappointing not to make it after all the hard work we did last year. I’m sure we will.

“We’re improving all the time as a team and you can see that over the last couple of years since the manager has come in. We’re moving in the right direction.

“New faces come in over the summer and the squad is a year older as well. It is a pretty young squad so that experience of having a successful season last year and hopefully getting some more confidence there can stand us in good stead for the season.”

And despite enjoying his summer, the midfielder admits he has one eye on pre-season.

He added: “The off season is always a funny one – you enjoy yourself and relax but you’ve always got one eye on pre-season and making sure you’re right and ready to go again

“Pre-season is always tough, nobody particularly enjoys it. But with the tours and the [Champions League] qualifier we want to hit the ground running and start the season well. So it’s important you’re ready to go.”