James Milner admitted he hopes that Sunday's 1-0 win against Manchester City will provide a boost of confidence for Liverpool to kick-start their season.
The Reds handed Pep Guardiola his first defeat of the season and climbed into the top half of the Premier League table with a hard-fought victory at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp's side rode their luck in seeing Phil Foden's goal chalked off for a foul in the build-up before Mohamed Salah wonderfully took down a trademark raking Allison pass before slotting home what proved to be the winner.
Liverpool had their fair share of chances to add to the lead, but Sunday's potentially pivotal win was typified by the industry and commitment shown from the likes of Milner and Joe Gomez - who was awarded man of the match. And the 36-year-old believes the constant 'sacrificing' from him and his team-mates made the difference in a raucous Anfield.
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“It was definitely enjoyable, especially when you get the right result,” Milner told Viaplay . “But I think the atmosphere was outstanding - as it always is when we need the fans - and they got right behind us and got us over the line.
“It was an intense game, as it was always going to be against City. They play so well and you have to work so hard and then when you get the ball you have to move it quick as well. So it was a fantastic team performance and the atmosphere was outstanding which really helped us.
“Boys sacrificing themselves for the team, working hard, closing gaps, some great defending from the centre-halves and then take your chances when you get them. We had a couple more and they had some chances as well but I thought defensively we were outstanding and managed to create the chances.
“The goal comes from a great clearance - well a pass, ‘clearance’ is a bit disrespectful to be honest - we know how good he [Alisson] is so it was a great ball, great vision, and then great strength and finish from Mo.”
There weren't many people who'd have expected a home win , with nine places and 13 points separating the sides at kick-off and the Reds enduring their worst league start for a decade. But despite more injury problems leaving Klopp's squad threadbare - Milner and Gomez were drafted in to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konate - the veteran midfielder admitted the win can provide a platform for this season to really kick on.
“It's ‘blah’ to us but there's a lot of talk outside,” Milner added. “For us, we just try and keep improving. We know we haven't been playing as well as we can, we've had issues with injuries, changes being made and not getting into our stride.
“But for us we just take it as we always do: try to fight, do our best, work through those issues on the field and put everything into every game but that's what this team will always do. I think that should be a big confidence booster to be able to put in a performance like that against City and get the win.”
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