James Milner reveals who Liverpool want to avoid in Champions League quarter-finals

Virgil van Dijk was the match winner [Courtesy]

James Milner has revealed Liverpool don't want to tackle a Premier League rival in the Champions League quarter-finals.

The Reds reached the last eight of the European competition after beating Bayern Munich 3-1 at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night.

Sadio Mane opened the scoring by taking advantage of a Manuel Neuer mistake but Joel Matip poked through his own goal to force the sides level at the break.

But Virgil van Dijk produced a towering head before Mane slid in a clincher to hand Jurgen Klopp's side hope of winning the Premier League and Champions League this season.

The Premier League have produced half the sides that still remain in the competition - with Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham also easing through the last-16 stage.

Milner embraces Klopp after the final whistle [Courtesy]

But Milner, who was part of the Reds side that reached the final last year - and edged out City - knows who he doesn't want this time around.

"It is good for English football," Milner told BT Sport. "That's what you want. I don't think we want to play each other in the next round but we'll see who we get.

"We have good feelings from last year so hopefully we can carry that on and go as far as we can."

Milner was forced to help re-organise the Liverpool midfield after Jordan Henderson was forced off with an ankle injury in the 12th minutes.

Fabinho came on and Milner insists the squad depth makes changes simple.

"It says a lot about the squad we have got," the former Leeds man said. "To lose the captain that early was difficult but we dealt with it well. Fabinho came on and did well then we scored.

"It was a good result. We didn't play our best but it is about defending well and getting three points.

"This guy [Van Dijk] got another goal. To be honest, he should get more given his height!"