Liverpool veteran James Milner says a top four finish is a must.

Milner has expressed the importance of Liverpool qualifying for the Champions League after their defeat to Real Madrid.

“Yeah, it's important obviously Liverpool are in Europe and preferably the Champions League – that's obviously always our aim," Milner told the club's website. “It's down to us that we have to finish the season very strongly.

“We've obviously got an international break now. Is it a good thing, is it a bad thing? Only time will tell.

“Three big games when we come back. They're all big games now, we have to go into each game and hopefully keep performing the way we want to, in the spells – we need to perform like that more often and be a bit more solid.

“It'd be nice to get a few more players back as well and hopefully can finish the season strongly and on a high."