Liverpool midfielder James Milner feels keeping a clean sheet against Borussia Dortmund in Germany will be more important than scoring as the two sides meet for the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie on Thursday.
After beating Premier League rivals Manchester United on an aggregate of 3-1 in the round of 16 last month, the Reds, for whom their last European success came in the form of the Champions League back in 2005, are raring to perform against Europe’s best once again.
Currently ninth in the Premier League table, nine points away from a top four spot, winning the Europa League is their most realistic chance of playing in the Champions League next year.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will be looking to grab the opportunity with both hands and move a step closer when they take on the Bundesliga club at Signal Iduna Park.
And Milner feels that while Liverpool would like to score an important away goal in Germany on Thursday, having a tight defence will be as important.
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"Although we want to score – I think that’d put us in a strong position – you have to be tight at the back and make sure you’re not too aggressive in doing that”, the English international told Liverpool’s website.
"With us being away first, the away goal would be nice, and then we come back and that gives you a bit of a cushion at home where you want to keep a clean sheet.
"Plusses and minuses for both but it’s down to us ultimately – over the two games the best team will win”, the 30-year-old added.
