Former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed that James Milner's desire to win the Champions League was behind his decision to move from Manchester City to Liverpool.
The experienced midfielder moved to Anfield four years ago on a free transfer after his contract at the Etihad expired.
Since then, he has become a key part of the Liverpool squad, lifting the Champions League with the Anfield club last season and scoring a last-gasp penalty against Leicester City on Saturday to open up an eight-point lead in the Premier League over City.
Now, speaking to the Liverpool Echo, ex-Liverpool boss Rodgers has revealed that Milner's move to Merseyside was heavily influenced by his ambition to conquer Europe.
"It’s really, really interesting because he wanted to come to Liverpool. He had won the Premier League, he had won cups. His whole ambition was to win the Champions League and he felt that he would have a better opportunity to win it at Liverpool.
"When we got the call to say he was going to come, I was so happy. His professionalism, his intensity, his focus. It was always going to help the squad.
"Even though it was only a short time we worked together, he was always going to be a really good signing.
“He was brilliant. Then you see what he has done. He has played at left-back, he has played in midfield. He is just a top class professional and he has done absolutely brilliant for the club."
