James Milner rejected Man City and Arsenal to win ‘a cabinet full of medals’ at Liverpool

New Liverpool number seven James Milner has revealed Brendan Rodgers played a major role in his decision to sign for the Merseyside club, where he hopes to win "a trophy cabinet full of medals".

The 29-year-old posed for pictures in his new Reds shirt for the first time on Monday since completing the short move from Manchester City.

City were keen to keep hold of him, and though he did hold talks with the club he instead chose to allow his contract to expire, while he was also linked with a move to Arsenal ahead of the transfer window.

But the England international decided to make the move to Liverpool and admits that the manager’s vision for him in the team was at the heart of the switch, with Milner keen to play a more central role for the Reds.

"He [Rodgers] was a massive part, to be honest," he 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. I was speaking to Stevie [Gerrard] at England and people like that and what he said to me made me want to come and play for him straight away."

He added: "I've been very fortunate to play for some massive clubs during my career so far and this is another one. It's a great challenge for me.

“I've been fortunate enough to win trophies. Obviously Liverpool came so close a couple of years ago to winning the league and being up against them in that title run-in, it felt like the whole world wanted them to win the league.

"That shows the love for the club and the global respect for the team.

"Hopefully, my experience can help us get into that position again. And if I can use the experience of winning trophies to help the younger guys, hopefully it can help get us over the line and win some silverware.

"I want to play football and play more centrally if I can and that's where the manager said he sees me playing.”

Liverpool fans were surprised by the club’s decision to give Milner the cherished seven shirt, the number worn by the likes of Anfield heroes Kenny Dalglish, Kevin Keegan, Peter Beardsley and Steve McManaman, as well as now-Barcelona striker Luis Suarez.

But the England man is confident he will prove himself worthy of the honour.

"I was seven at Man City, but at a club like Liverpool you can wear any number in the squad and it’ll have been filled with amazing players who have worn it before,” said Milner.

"I know seven is a special number for this football club and hopefully I can be a special player for this club. Hopefully I can do the shirt proud.”