Liverpool recruit James Milner has endorsed the Reds upcoming tour of Australia as the perfect opportunity to forge an understanding with his new teammates.
The Merseyside club are set to depart on their pre-season tour on Sunday, with matches scheduled against Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United on 17 and 20 July.
Milner, who was signed by manager Brendan Rogers on a free transfer during the off-season, said the experience would bode well for all of the squad’s new faces ahead of some tough away trips to open the new Premier League campaign.
“It is an important time regardless, but especially as a new player coming in and for new signings. You spend that much time together,” Milner told LFCTour.com
“You are only together for two weeks but I think because you spend that much time training and travelling, and you are with each other for every minute of the day, you feel like you have known your teammates for months rather than just weeks, spending that much time together.
“You want that base fitness and getting that confidence and, touch wood, coming through it with no injuries. It is a really important time and a time that the whole season is based on.”
Liverpool received a spectacular reception when they last travelled to Australia two years ago, playing Melbourne Victory in front of over 95,000 fans at the MCG.
With the Reds’ squad having undergone a sizeable transformation since then Milner said visiting places such as Australia reinforced the stature of a club like Liverpool for its new signings and was a great chance to connect with their global fanbase.
“I’m pretty aware of how big the club is,” the 29-year-old said. “Speaking to other people as well, you don’t really realise the size of the club until you go abroad and go to the Far East and these sorts of places and see the reaction.”
“I have never been to Australia, so it will be nice. It is a bit of a long way but I have never been so I am looking forward to going there.
“Obviously we’ve got a big following in England but you don’t realise how many people watch the Premier League every single week until you go out there and see the fans.”
