Liverpool midfielder James Milner believes The Reds’ Champions League draw with Real Madrid left them jaded at Elland Road on Monday night.
Jürgen Klopp’s Reds put everything they had into last Wednesday’s quarter-final second leg performance against LaLiga giants Real Madrid at Anfield. It wasn’t enough to stop Liverpool from going out but still left the squad lacking energy on Monday at Leeds United.
Sadio Mané gave Liverpool a first-half lead but a late headed goal from defender Diego Llorente earned the home team a point they fully deserved.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Milner said:
“I think obviously when you come to a place like this with a team as good as them, you have to put in two good halves and we didn’t do that.
“First half was very good, second half we looked very tired. When you’re in that situation you need to push up and you need to keep the ball better than we did, so that was disappointing.
“Probably the Madrid game took a lot out of us as well… first half was good but to beat a team like Leeds you’re going to have to put in a good 95 minutes and we didn’t do that.”
Klopp’s men had also spurned some great chances to stretch their lead before Llorente’s goal in the 87th minute. Milner felt a draw was a fair result, however, as Alisson was also in action on a few occasions in the Liverpool goal.
“We had chances. Again, it’s the same sort of thing, not taking those chances.
“A small positive again is that we’re creating those but it’s disappointing, especially when you’ve led for so long. Ali made some great saves but they had chances so maybe a draw is a fair result in the end.”
Milner was asked for his take on the hugely controversial European Super League proposals that the club are heavily involved in currently:
James Milner to Sky re: European Super League
“I can only say my own opinion; I don’t like it and I hope it doesn’t happen, for the same reasons as everyone else.”#LFC
— Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) April 19, 2021
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