Liverpool vice-captain James Milner admits he will be supporting Manchester United for the first time in his life this week - as he issued a reminder to Manchester City of the potential Premier League pitfalls that await.
Milner scored from the penalty spot at Cardiff City on Sunday to seal a 2-0 win for the Reds that once more moved them two points clear of City at the top of the table.
Pep Guardiola's side play their game in hand against Manchester United on Wednesday night in the knowledge if they win their four remaining league games they will retain the championship.
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And as a former Leeds United and City man, Milner - who twice won the Premier League at the Etihad - admits it will be a strange sensation hoping for a favour from traditional rivals United - although he probably won't watch the game.
“It’ll be the first time in my life!” said the midfielder of supporting United.
"I don’t watch them (City), to be honest. It’s a bit of a waste of energy, isn’t it, willing the ball into the goal and things like that. I can’t do anything about it.
“Maybe I’ll put my phone away for a couple of hours and check it after. Maybe I’ll go and grab some food or whatever.
“There are three games left. United will be a challenge, but it’s the old cliché – any game is tough in the Premier League no matter who you play. To try and win a league title is not easy, whoever you play.
"Trust me, I know. Remember QPR (in 2012)? To beat anyone is tough when it is all on the line.
“We’ve still got some tough games ourselves, and we have to win those and keep the pressure up."
Asked if United need to respond to their 4-0 hammering at Everton on Sunday, Milner added: “I don’t want to start talking about that. I can’t control it.
"I don’t want to do a Kevin Keegan situation. I’m sure it’ll be a good game, between two good teams.”
Liverpool are now on 88 points, their record points tally in a Premier League campaign with three games still remaining.
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Jurgen Klopp's side could conceivably finish second on 97 points, which would be the highest points tally of any top-flight club not to win the title.
“I think for a long time we have had our head round the fact that we just need to win all of our games," admitted Milner.
"And if we do that and it’s not good enough, you have to hold your hands up and say ‘well done City’. All we can do is keep asking them questions and keep winning our games. That’s all we can control.
“We know they’re a top team and they’ve done it before. They have a great points total but so have we. It’s about encouragement from our side at how we have improved.
“Of course it’s frustrating that we could have one defeat all season and it might still not be enough, but all we can do is win the rest of our games and keep putting them under pressure.”
