LIVERPOOL SLIP-UP WOULD BE SICKENER

LIVERPOOL vice-captain James Milner admits his team will feel sick if they let Champions League qualification slip through their fingers at the l ast minute.

The Reds have spent only two weeks outside the top four since September but Sunday’s goalless draw at home to Southampton threatened to undermine that until sixth-placed Arsenal did them a favour by beating fifth-spotted Manchester United.

That result at the Emirates Stadium meant Liverpool’s fate was back in their own hands, despite the chasing teams’ matches in hand, and two more wins will secure a return to the Champions League next season.

However, with a trip to West Ham, a team they have not beaten in their last five meetings, up next followed by hosting Middlesbrough at Anfield — where the Reds have taken two points from the last three matches — nothing is guaranteed.

Asked how being pipped at the post would feel, Milner, whose first penalty miss in more than seven years cost Liverpool victory against Saints, said: “Sick.

“This is a team and a club that needs to be i n the Champions League.

“We will be in Europe but the Champions League is where everyone wants to play.

“Hopefully, we will get a bit of luck and finish the job. We have got to win the last two and see where that takes us.”