Liverpool ace Milner: 'We need to get back to a consistent level'

• Liverpool's win over the Villains keeps their top-four hopes alive.

• Jurgen Klopp's Reds won their first game at Anfield in four months.

Klopp Embraces Milner following Liverpool's 2-1 win over Aston Villa at Anfield. [Getty]

FT: Liverpool 1-2 Aston Villa

Liverpool vice-captain James Milner issued a rallying cry while speaking to BBC’s Match of the Day, saying the Reds need to get back to a consistent level.’

Trent Alexander-Arnold scored a last-gasp winner to hand Liverpool a 2-1 win over Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon as the Merseyside club ended their four-month wait for a Premier League victory at Anfield.

The England right-back, who has come under immense scrutiny in recent weeks, got the ball on the edge of the area and fired home in the 91st minute to seal a comeback for the champions.

That was before Jurgen Klopp’s men went a goal down to an Ollie Watkins strike late in the first half after the hosts wasted several chances earlier on.

Roberto Firmino found the equaliser moments later, but the goal was cancelled following a VAR review that saw Diogo Jota in an offside position during the build-up.

But, Mohamed Salah calmed Liverpool’s nerves by hitting the net with a header just before the hour mark.

The Egyptian's goal was Liverpool’s first from open play in 12 hours and 44 minutes at home in the Premier League.

The result gives Klopp's team hope of Champions League qualification and boosts their confidence to secure another European comeback against LaLiga side Real Madrid next week.

However, Milner says they need to keep improving and moving forward.

Milner told BBC's Match of the Day: "I think many things but it was important to win, it was an important performance- it wasn't our best by any means. Decision seemed to go against us but that's the way it is. We have to stick it out and find a way.

"Aston Villa are a good team, we know that from the first game. They have got good players, they are well organised and they are tough to beat - so it's important that we got that win.

"It's nice to be in and around the Champions League spots but the most important thing is we concentrate on ourselves and try and get back to that consistent level. We need to take it in and keep improving and keep moving forward as a team."

On the VAR decision, Milner asserted: "Not for me. I think if you ask a lot of players, nobody wants an offside given by an armpit or in an ear. Level seems to have gone out of the game."

On right back Trent Alexander-Arnold, he said: "It says a lot about his character. People forget how young is he, such a young age. He's been very fortunate in his career so far, so being left out of the England squad is probably one of his first disappointments.

"But he's got a massive goal at the end, it was a great position he took up in midfield just just before. We're delighted for him."

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