Liverpool don’t deserve to be in Champions League if they can’t beat Napoli, says James Milner
The Reds utility man thinks last year's finalists should be able to beat the Italians at Anfield
JAMES MILNER believes Liverpool should not be in the Champions League if they can't beat Napoli at home on December 11.
The Reds lost 2-1 to PSG at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday and will be knocked out of the competition if they cannot beat the Italian side at Anfield.
Napoli are top of group C, and given their superior goal difference can afford to lose by one goal on Merseyside and still qualify for the knock-out stage.
PSG are in second spot, just two points ahead of the Reds, but they face Red Star Belgrade next who have won only one game in group C.
Milner scored a penalty in Wednesday's defeat against the French champions and he did not hold back in his comments after the game.
He said: "If you can't win your home games in the Champions League then you don't deserve to go through."
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
He added: "We know it was a tough group all along, the Champions League is tough.
"But to have it in your own hands going into the last game and having a home game - we'd like to have it sewn up by now sure we would - I don't think you can ask for more.
"If you had said 'You have to win your last home game to get through the group' I think everyone would have been fine with it. We've played pretty well this season."
By scoring in Liverpool's defeat in Paris, the England international ended a 39-game unbeaten run in matches in which he had scored.
Milner though is taking heart from Liverpool's run to last year's final and insisted their precarious group position is not affecting the players.
He said: "We're not that experienced in the Champions League. We had a good run last year and that will definitely help us but we got through in the final group game last year and look where we ended up.
"You don't see any of the lads panicking, we are comfortable we can go and finish the job at home."
If PSG get a result against Red Star and Liverpool cannot beat Napoli by two clear goals, Europa League football beckons for the Anfield club.
However, the Red's vice-captain is not thinking about that possibility.
He said: "I don't think that's crossed anyone's mind to be honest.
"Our aim is to get out of the group, get the result and get through. If we don't do that we don't deserve to be in the Champions League and we'll take whatever happens from there - Europa League or whatever.
"At this moment in time we're just focused on getting through the group."
LATEST LIVERPOOL NEWS
Everton visit Anfield on Sunday for the first Merseyside derby of the season.
Although it is a huge game for the fans, the utility man remained pragmatic about the clash.
He said: "I think it's going to be a good game, the atmosphere will be good and that will help.
"But as players, we should be able to bounce back either way but it is a nice game, they are always great games to play in derbies.
"They are on an OK run as well so it's going to be a tough game. It's down to us to continue our league form and bounce back."
Liverpool vs Everton kicks off at 4:15pm on Sunday December 2 is live on Sky Sports.