James Milner has vowed to stay on as Liverpool's penalty taker as he channels his efforts into ensuring he does not end the season feeling "sick".
The Reds have spent just two weeks outside the top four since September, but they have Manchester United and Arsenal - with one and two games in hand respectively over Liverpool - snapping at their heels.
That result at the Emirates Stadium meant Liverpool's fate was back in their own hands, despite the chasing teams' matches in hand, and two more wins will secure a return to the Champions League next season.
Asked how he would feel if Liverpool finished fifth, Milner replied: "Sick".
Liverpool's 0-0 draw with Southampton on Sunday was a rather boring affair as the Reds missed out on the chance to put further claim to a Champions League spot.
"It is not nice to drop points at home, but now we play away (at already-safe West Ham) and then we have another home game".
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"We have got to win the last two", Milner told British media. "Against the top teams, our record is very, very good but against the teams that come to sit back and play on the break and look to get something from a set-piece, we need to improve".
But Milner put the troublesome fight for a top four place, which will go to the wire, down to the persistent failure to see off defence-minded teams like Southampton, who left Liverpool with a point on Sunday.
'That is disappointing. We have got to win the last two and see where that takes us'. We have shown on any one day we can beat anyone, so if we could get in the Champions League, we know we could be a match for anyone.
Liverpool's captain failed from 12 yards for the first time in a Reds shirt on Sunday, but the miss could not have come at a worse moment, with the club's aspirations of qualifying for the Champions League back in the balance.
"You think, like all season, Milly will score but one time he needs to miss and that was today unfortunately". We can certainly improve on it and, if we do that, we will be in the reckoning. I knew what I wanted to do. There was a lot riding on it and I have to take the responsibility. He is a big lad and a good keeper.
"I don't notice it and I don't think [nerves] are in the dressing room, either", he said. "How would we feel if we miss out?" I don't think we overcommitted against Southampton. I think they will be okay because of the fact it is a completely different competition.
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