Liverpool needs to be more ruthless if they want to avoid the heartache of missing out on silverware again this season.
The Reds fell at the last hurdle in the Champions League final in May, for what would have been a sixth European Cup triumph.
Tuesday night, the Kopites go to fellow former champions Red Star Belgrade in a crucial Group C clash, with Jurgen Klopp’s manne leading the pool from second-place Napoli by one point and Paris St-Germain by two points.
With margins that tight, veteran midfielder James Milner believes the Reds must develop a cold-blooded killer instinct after failing to protect the lead he gave them in Saturday’s 1-1 Premier League draw at Arsenal.
The 32-year-old says: “[We are] very disappointed really, which is a good thing I suppose, playing away at Arsenal.
FOCUSED: Boss Jurgen Klopp. Photo: PETER POWELL/EPA
“To be 1-0 up in the second half and not see it out, we are disappointed; with the chances we created we should have scored a few more goals.
“It’s pleasing we are creating those chances, but we could have been a bit more ruthless and maybe not put as much pressure on ourselves not to concede to win the game.”
In team news, coach Klopp has decided not to stoke any controversy for the trip to Serbia by leaving winger Xherdan Shaqiri at home due to his Kosovan heritage.
Serbs and Kosovans fought against one another in the Balkan wars of the 1990s.
Midfielder Naby Keita and defender Dejan Lovren are among those who will make the trip after recovering from injuries, but Jordan Henderson misses out again.