Milner: The result is the only thing that matters

Liverpool were on the end of their equal heaviest defeat in the Champions League after losing 3-0 to Barcelona in the first leg of their semi-final clash at the Camp Not on Wednesday evening.

In terms of performance, you couldn't really ask much more when coming up against a team who are deemed by many as the best team in world football and playing them in their own surroundings.

The Reds had more possession and arguably the better chances throughout the ninety minutes, but the main difference as so many teams have realised over time was Lionel Messi.

The Argentine superstar produced when his team needed him the most scoring two goals while Luis Suarez showed there was no time for sentiment at this stage of the competition as he was at his belligerent best.

James Milner who has unpleasant memories coming up against Barca in this competition says that his team learnt a important lesson on the night.

The Official site  (via BeIn sports) reported Milner as saying:

"I think at this stage of the competition the result is the only thing that matters really," 

"Maybe we can take heart that we created chances in the game and we should have probably taken a couple of those, but it didn't happen and they are a top team who are always going to create chances and they took them.

"We can be proud of our play, but at this stage of the competition you need to get the result."

A away goal can be crucial even in defeat, as Roma proved against Barcelona last season.

And while they came might close through Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and then Mo Salah it was something that eluded the visitors.

The scoreboard can tell a cruel tale, and this is another example of that with this defeat equaling their 3-0 loss to Real Madrid in 2014.

Milner says a quick start next Tuesday evening is critical to put the Catalan giants on the back foot and maybe the ghosts of seasons past could come into the mind of the visitors.

"With the players they have got it will be tough to keep a clean sheet [at Anfield] but we've defended well all year, so if we can keep a clean sheet and start well then let's see what happens.

"It's tough to take at this stage of the competition and with the performance we put in. But when you come to places like this with the players they have, it's always going to be tough."

Jurgen Klopp confirmed after the game that the players were understandably flat in the change rooms immediately the game, but the veteran said there is no time for self-pity with a crucial game coming up against Newcastle on Saturday evening.

"We've obviously got to bounce back first for the weekend, pick ourselves up again after this disappointment. 

"But I think we've all seen the heart and the drive, the team spirit. We will be ready to go at the weekend.

"Hopefully we can get the result and get a bit of positive feeling going into the second leg."

A 3-0 half-time deficit is something that is ingrained in the psyche of Liverpool fans in this competition.

While this is a completely different squad and opposition, we have seen across this season that the mentality of this group is as strong as we have ever seen from a Liverpool team.

Even if we do fall short in the second leg, there can be no doubt that we would dropped every last bit of sweat on the Anfield pitch in looking to make an almighty comeback.