Liverpool midfielder James Milner has said that his side "woke up" after conceding early against Manchester City on Tuesday evening.

The Reds recovered after Gabriel Jesus's second-minute strike to score goals through Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino in the second period, despite a disallowed goal by City winger Leroy Sane on the brink of half time.

Milner, who played both legs of the tie against his former club, told reporters that his team's response to their early setback was a sign of the character within the squad.

"They're a good team and they were always going to put us under pressure," the 32-year-old said. "They had chances but that shows a lot about how we came out in the second half.

"Maybe it woke us up to concede that early, it says a lot about the boys coming under that pressure in first half and in the second half last week. In the second half today we got hold of it slightly more but we still have to improve.

"Everyone knows how good Manchester City are so to beat them is a good confidence builder but we have to be better in the next round. We got about them a bit more in the second half, kept ball slightly better, were more composed that's the key, it's what you have to do against these sorts of teams."

Liverpool face Bournemouth in their return to domestic action this weekend.