Holding the gleaming Champions League trophy aloft is easily the pinnacle of club football and for any player to reach that unforgettable moment would be potential justification for sitting back and admiring the incredible feat. And so, you would be entirely forgiven for thinking that the Liverpool aces — who did exactly that in June when they got their hands on the prized Euro trophy after a thoroughly convincing 2-0 win over Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid – might adopt more of a carefree stance about their play given what they have achieved.
But, of course, boss Jurgen Klopp would never allow that type of attitude to prevail in the Anfield camp and evidence of that is there for all to see in the desire and passion of a certain James Milner ahead of the chance to snare some more silverware in the shape of the Super Cup. Liverpool go into battle once more on Wednesday in Istanbul, Turkey, where they clash with top-flight rivals Chelsea — winners of the Europa League — for the trophy.
Klopp’s men go in to the game with an opening day 4-1 victory over newly-promoted Norwich City under their belts, while Frank Lampard takes his Blues to the banks of the Bosporus having endured a nightmare start to his tenure as boss thanks to a devastating 4-0 reverse against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
And Milner says the Super Cup game provides an ideal chance for Liverpool to maintain their fantastic form. He told UEFA’s official website:
“I think it’s very important — I think you want to get into that habit of winning trophies. I think the Super Cup’s a special trophy to win because you’ve got to win a big trophy to get there as well, so I think it’s important.”
“We’re playing against another top team, another English team, obviously, again. And I think it’s a good way to start the season if you can win a trophy and it’s more silverware for the club if you can do that.”
Reds vice-skipper Milner says he has every confidence that Liverpool will prevail in the tie but adds that he expects a tough game but that it is a game that he is very much looking forward to.
He added:
“We know it’ll be a tough game and two good teams, early in the season which is never easy as well. Obviously, there’s been a lot of players away from both teams in various tournaments in the summer, so it’s always a tough time of the season with players at different stages of their fitness and having had different amounts of time-off and things like that, but it’s the sort of game where everyone will click in straight away and be ready for it.”
“And at that level, no matter how long you’ve had off, just because of what a good game it’ll be to play in and it’s a chance to win silverware and there will be a great atmosphere as well. It’s important to get a good start to the season and there’s nothing better than winning a game like that.”
