Despite missing the chance to move five points clear of Manchester City on Monday night following their second draw in the space of a week, James Milner is still adamant that Liverpool should ’embrace’ the pressure of the Premier League title race.
Milner, who was speaking to the club’s official website, was also wrapped up in a frenzied debate surrounding his involvement in Sadio Mane’s opening goal at the London Stadium, with replays clearing showing the Englishman to be in an offside position when he picked up the ball to set up Mane in the 22nd minute.
Having taken the lead, West Ham responded quickly through Michail Antonio who benefitted off of Felipe Anderson’s quick free-kick to draw the Hammers level.
Manchester City now have the chance to regain top spot with a win over Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday.
In the aftermath of his side’s disappointing performance, Milner remained optimistic about the prospect of Liverpool winning a first league title since its transition from the first division to the Premier League in 1992.
It is like that in football. You have ups and downs in your career and you have ups and down within a season.
It is about not getting too down and there is such a long way to go, it wouldn’t surprise me if the lead changes hands all the way to the end, but we have to be confident we can get the job done.
It is in our hands and there is a long, long way to go. I think we should enjoy being in this position, these are the positions you want to play in. It is a lot worse at the bottom end of the league when you are fighting against relegation or playing for nothing in mid-table, so let’s enjoy it and push forward together – ourselves, the fans and the whole club – and embrace it.
The Reds have the chance to correct their sluggish start to 2019 and return to winning ways when they welcome Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth to Anfield this Saturday.
