James Milner has urged his Liverpool team-mates to embrace the pressure this season as he admitted: “It's time we won a trophy.”

The club's vice-captain helped ensure the Reds got off to a flyer as he starred in last weekend's 4-0 rout of West Ham at Anfield.

The 32-year-old midfielder knows what it takes to clinch the Premier League title having won it twice with Manchester City and he's desperate to enjoy similar success with Liverpool .

Since Milner swapped the Etihad for Anfield in 2015 he has come agonisingly close to glory with defeats in the final of the League Cup, Europa League and Champions League.

With Jurgen Klopp's squad bolstered by £170million worth of talent this summer, Milner believes that silverware should be delivered.

“Expectations should be high. We're at Liverpool,” he said.

“It's a massive club where expectations are always high because there is a great history of winning things here.

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“We are expected to win every single game, no matter who we are playing against when we step on to the field, so it's up to us to be big enough to accept that responsibility and embrace the pressure.

“I've been here for three years now and in that time we've been to three finals and come so close to winning silverware. You can see the progression of the team since the manager has been here. We are capable of beating anyone.

"The team has evolved and we're moving forward all the time but I think it is time we got over the line and won a piece of silverware. That's putting pressure on ourselves but that is what's expected at this football club.

“It's something that we are more than ready to do, but getting that first trophy is always the hardest. If we can get that first trophy it will hopefully set up better things to come.”

This is the 17 season of Milner's professional career and he's showing no signs of slowing down.

(Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Fifteen stitches in a head wound failed to keep him out of the game against the Hammers and his contribution was impressive.

Milner had more touches (122) and covered more ground (12.55km) than any other player on the pitch. His pass completion rate was 93% and he created three chances, including providing the assist for Sadio Mane.

It was November 2002 – at the age of 16 – when he made his Premier League debut for Leeds against the same opposition.

“I still love the game and I'm desperate to do well,” Milner told the Official Liverpool FC Matchday Programme.

“I still feel fit and I'm raring to go but your role changes as time moves on.

“I've gone from being that young guy at Leeds to being one of the older guys at Liverpool who helps the young lads out by using what I've learned from the different managers and players I've played with.

“I'm lucky to have played for as long as I have at some very big clubs and hopefully I can continue to give as much as I can to this football club both on and off the field.”

The battle for a starting berth in midfield has intensified following the arrival of new signings Naby Keita and Fabinho. Adam Lallana has also returned to fitness following his injury problems last term.

Milner, who clocked up 47 appearances in 2017/18, insists that depth will be crucial as Liverpool attempt to compete on four fronts.

"You want competition in every single position and you want to be playing in the best team with the best players," Milner said.

"We're going to have a lot of games and I'm sure the manager will change the team. Every time you get a chance on the field you have to take it.

"The way we play is a lot different, it's very intense and is a different style of defending and pressing. The lads coming from different leagues and different countries also have to adapt to English football and a new life off the field, so you've got to take that into consideration and give them time.

"I've played in England all my life but I still found it difficult changing clubs so we have to make it as easy as we can for them.

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"We want to be as consistent as we can be in the league, get through Christmas and see where we are. There will be high expectations of us in Europe after getting to the Champions League final and we've got to shoulder that.

"But I think we'll improve again given the players we've brought in because when you've got so much competition for places you're forced to play well. If you don't, someone else will take your spot."