Brendan Rodgers has said that he was Liverpool's number one choice to take the helm at Anfield.

The Northern Irishman was speaking to the South Wales Evening Post ahead of this morning's press conference at 10am, when the appointment is expected to be officially announced.

"In my life and in my football, I have been very happy in Swansea," Rodgers said.

"But when an opportunity to work at a club which is more than a club comes round, it's a professional challenge which is too good to turn down.

"Liverpool are one of the dynasties of the game. They have won five European Cups and their status is up there with AC Milan, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich."

Rodgers added that he had had chances to leave the Swans on three previous occasions but turned them down. He said the reason for choosing Liverpool this time around was their desire to bring him to Merseyside.

"When a club of Liverpool's status comes in [you have to pay attention]. I turned them down once out of respect, because I didn't want to go into a process and disrespect anything about Swansea. When they come in a second time and make you their No. 1 target, then you have to think," the 39-year-old added.

"For me, the only way I was going to leave Swansea was for a big club, and I mean a big club.

"It was an extremely, extremely difficult decision because my plan was always to stay here at Swansea for a number of years."

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan recently said that Roberto Martinez was the Reds' first choice.