Liverpool star James Milner has talked up the importance of the UEFA Super Cup, ahead of tomorrow's clash with Chelsea in Istanbul.
The Reds, holders of the Champions League, face off against Chelsea's Europa League winning side in Turkey - in the annual curtain-raiser for the new continental campaign.
However, the match between the two European champions is often looked down upon by many who do not see the title as a significant honour, with the same view on FIFA's Club World Cup.
Milner does not echo that sentiment though and has talked up the importance of the competition, which he believes can help to lay the groundwork towards future successes for Jurgen Klopp's side.
“I think it’s very important - I think you want to get in 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," he told UEFA ahead of the game.
“We’re playing against another top team, another English team, obviously, again. 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.
“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.”
