Liverpool midfielder James Milner insists he and his teammates were not even worrying about what the future might hold prior to Wednesday night's Europa League final.

A win in the tournament, apart from bringing silverware to Anfield, would have seen the Reds qualify for the group stage proper of the Champions League for next season but Milner says that prospect was not in the thoughts of the Anfield club as they went down 3-1 to Sevilla at St Jakob-Park in Basel in the Europa decider.

"We didn't think about the Champions League, it was about winning this trophy," he said on BT Sport.

"We didn't manage to get over the line. It is a double blow not to be in Europe next season. We go into two finals and lost both, next time we need to finish the job.

"We have showed our character in the competition but today we could not do that."

Three second-half goals from Sevilla, courtesy of Kevin Gameiro and a brace from Coke, allowed the Spaniards to overrun Liverpool who struck first through Daniel Sturridge in the 35th minute.