Milner: “It’s All About the Result”

After doing the double against Everton, there is the feeling that Liverpool have taken a big step to securing Champions League football next season. A 3-1 victory ensured that Jürgen Klopp became the first Liverpool manager to win his first three Merseyside derbies and matched the 16 league wins from 38 games in 2015/16.

In the absence of Jordan Henderson, James Milner has stepped up as captain in the last five league games as the Reds have put a troubling start to 2017 behind them. At 31, Milner is one of the most experienced and oldest players in the first-team squad. As ever, he didn't get carried away.

“These games are always tough and you never quite know what is going to happen,” the dependable Milner said. “I thought we played pretty well considering.

"It was a good performance after a week in which everyone has been all over the place and we've not had long to prepare.

"It's all about the result - giving the fans those bragging rights. We've got eight left and we just want to accumulate as many points as can and see where it takes us."

The goal is to collect enough points from the remaining eight games to take Liverpool back into the Champions League. That would be far more pleasing than bragging rights against local rivals that mostly wilt at Anfield. Bournemouth are next up at Anfield, but today Merseyside is gloriously red.