Liverpool midfielder James Milner admits the hurt of losing a Champions League final is driving the team as they try to correct that disappointment this season.

However, that does not mean they will be taking their eye off the ball in terms of chasing a first domestic league title in 29 years as the vice-captain feels they believe they can compete on two fronts – even if the critics do not.

The 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in Kiev last May was something of a freak result as Jurgen Klopp's side were the better team until Mohamed Salah was forced off with a shoulder injury suffered during a tangle with Sergio Ramos.

"You know, it's been so long since we won a league title. Even in recent years Liverpool haven't won as many trophies as they should do for such a big club," he added.

"Even for us now – we are a young team, we are improving but the chances we have given ourselves? We have to put that right.

"We have to get over the line in one of them.

"But (we can use) the thoughts of the run we had, the teams that we beat and the confidence that we gained.

"Then you see how we are playing in the Premier League – we have only lost one game – that is confidence and helping us move forward as a team.

"Ah, yes. That's unlucky for him, isn't it?" said Milner with a wry smile.

"I'd like to think teams have that respect for us.

"We got to the CL final last year. We got to the Europa League final in 2016. We are challenging for the Premier League.

"Whether teams take notice is not really for us to worry about but they take notice after they have played us and we have put them out."