Milner pleased with gritty win but seeks further improvement

On Monday night, James Milner coolly slotted home a penalty just before half-time to put Liverpool 1-0 up against Crystal Palace. An injury-time second goal from Sadio Mane secured all three points for Jurgen Klopp’s team as they moved back to within touching distance of league leaders Manchester City.

Milner – now the oldest player in the squad after the departure of Ragnar Klavan – started the match as captain and was pleased with the nature of Liverpool’s win, but recognised that they can do better.

“That’s something we have to work on: winning all different types of games,” said Milner, speaking to Liverpoolfc.com.

“We know that and it was never going to be easy. We know we can play better and control the game a bit more when we were in the lead in the second half.

“But this is a tough place to come. I don’t think many people come here and have an easy night, that’s for sure, so it was a good performance in the end just to get the result.”

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LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 20: James Milner scores for Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, London. (Photo by John Sibley/Reuters)

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The Palace win was a hard-fought victory for the travelling Reds as they worked to break down Roy Hodgson’s resolute defence. New signing Alisson Becker was rarely troubled but still performed impeccably when called upon, and Virgil van Djik put in another world-class showing at centre-back. Milner believes Liverpool can still up their game, however.

“Obviously we thought we could play better but also we wanted to control the game a bit better in the second half when we were in front,” he said.

“I don’t think we did that as well as we should have done. But it’s about getting the win and the clean sheet, which was pleasing and so important.

“We know with the players that we have got going forward if we keep those clean sheets then we’ve got every chance of nicking a goal at the other end.

“So it comes from the ‘keeper and all the way through the back four and all the way through the team and the way we play, everyone defends together, so we are very pleased to get the clean sheet and the three points were so important, it gets us off to a good start.”

Milner will want to retain his place in the starting XI when Liverpool take on Brighton on Saturday evening.

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Source: anfieldhq.com