James Milner ‘devastated’ with Liverpool defeat

Liverpool midfielder James Milner has admitted that he has been left ‘devastated’ by his team’s inability to overcome Sevilla in the 2016 Europa League final in Switzerland.

Liverpool took a 35th-minute lead on the night through Daniel Sturridge, but passed up a couple of golden chances to make it 2-0 and ultimately lost 3-1 after a strong Sevilla comeback.

Milner has criticised his team for conceding 17 seconds into the second period and has also claimed that the Reds ‘did not show near their ability’ after missing out on the chance to secure Champions League football for next season.

“We never started in the second half and it is devastating. We didn’t show near our ability and that is the biggest disappointment. We were ready, we made sure we said the right things at half-time. We gave a sloppy goal away and never got back into the game,” Milner told BT Sport.

“We didn’t manage to get over the line. It is a double blow not to be in Europe next season. We go into two finals and lost both, next time we need to finish the job. We have showed our character in the competition but today we could not do that.”