James Milner has revealed that manager Brendan Rodgers played a "massive" role in his decision to join Liverpool.

The 29-year-old England midfielder moved to Anfield on a free transfer from Manchester City earlier this month.

Milner won five major honours during a five-year spell at the Etihad Stadium, including two Premier League titles.

Having been told that first-team action would be hard to come by with City, Milner has admitted that Rodgers's plans for him at Liverpool convinced him to join the Merseysiders.

"He was a massive part, to be honest," Milner told the club's official website. "The club doesn't need a lot of selling about what a great club it is, with all the history, the support and the squad they have.

"But speaking to the manager and what his plans were for me, things I've heard about him from other players and what he said to me made me want to come and play for him straight away.

"I was lucky enough to win trophies and be part of a good squad [at City], but speaking to the club about what their plans were and where they saw me over the next few years at the club, and then speaking to the manager here and his plans going forward and for myself, I just thought it was the right thing for me to hopefully go and get more game time and be part of something special."

Milner will wear the number seven shirt for Liverpool once the new season gets underway.