Milner highlights past experience that helped Liverpool win Champions League

James Milner believes Liverpool’s experience in two previous European final defeats helped cultivate the mentality they needed to achieve victory in Madrid on Saturday.

The vice-captain was introduced 62 minutes into the Champions League final against Tottenham and almost made a huge impact shortly afterwards when his shot rolled agonisingly past the post.

However, the 33-year-old thinks both he and his side have now learned how to see out the win thanks to prior painful experience in cup competitions.

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“Hopefully I have learned a little thing or two due to the amount of time I have been playing but obviously, in finals, you get moments when you have to try and take the sting out of it,” Milner said, as quoted by the Evening Standard.

“There were a lot of tired people out there. A lot of emotion. I think last year helped us and even the Europa [League] before that, those experience and knowing what comes in finals.

“The three-week wait was obviously a week longer than last year. There is a lot of hullabaloo about getting to a final and having media days but I think it helps when you have been there before and we have done it.”

He added: “I think after the season we’ve had, how well we played in the league and the teams we’ve beat in the Champions League, [we’ve gone] and put something right.

“I think the boys deserve something really, how we’ve played. Delighted for the lads, the club, the manager, and the fans.

“The fans have followed us, since I’ve been at the club they’ve been amazing, I’m sure they were amazing before I came as well.

“But going to Kiev and the Europa League final and not getting over line… to give them something, I’m sure they’re celebrating wherever they are, whether it’s Madrid or Liverpool. That’s amazing.

“Before we came, driving through Liverpool and seeing all the flags on the houses, to give them something is fantastic.”

He continued: “I think it would be nice going to Melwood seeing number six there.

“Liverpool has a great history and when I signed for the club I was desperate to add trophies as this club expects to win trophies and it has an amazing history but we want to create our own history. We have started that and put a trophy on the board.

“When I was at Manchester City and we won the first FA Cup, that was massive for us and that gave us the belief and the winning mentality that we can do it and hopefully this will be the same.

“We will enjoy it for as long as we can but we will come back pre-season and go again.”

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Source: anfieldhq.com