Milner ready to take centre stage
James Milner admits the lure of playing in central midfield was a big factor behind his move to Liverpool from Manchester City.
The No.7 has been in great form during the pre-season programme, netting in the friendly matches on tour against Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United, and has relished playing in a central role.
A team player all through his career, Milner is happy to play out wide if the opportunity arises, but the offer from Brendan Rodgers to fill one of the central positions in midfield he admits was just too good to turn down.
"This move was a selfish move for me," said Milner. "Obviously playing at City and playing in different positions - the team will always come first, that's the way I believe it should be, no matter where you are.
"But I think the move to come to Liverpool and take that mantle on myself was more of a selfish move and hopefully I can do well and contribute to success at Liverpool.
"I'd like to think you will see the best of me now I am in the central role.
"I probably would agree with Brendan. I had some good seasons at City but it was made harder coming in and going out of the side. When that happens it's not easy keeping your form up.
"Probably I get noticed more being in that central role and at Aston Villa I won Young Player of the Year and was in the team of the year. So it stands out.
"What is more, nobody wanted to pay the kind of money that City paid for me until I did play central midfield.
"Playing in the middle was a big part of me coming to Liverpool. I want to play in central midfield and I think that is my best position."
Milner has already built up a good understanding in midfield with Jordan Henderson, and is relishing the chance to play alongside the club captain at Anfield.
He added: "Jordan's a very good player. You've seen how much he's improved over the past few years.
"He is only going to improve and he has shown from being in and out here to begin with he had the mental strength to become captain of Liverpool Football Club.
"He's a great character in the dressing room, fully deserves to be captain and he is going to be a great leader.
"You want to play with best players and I've been lucky to do that throughout my career, we have so many good players here with good young players coming through as well."
Milner won two Barclays Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the League Cup at the Etihad Stadium, but he is looking forward to the new challenge of helping bring back silverware to the famous Anfield trophy cabinet.
He added: "This is a chance for me to prove something.
"I want to look back at my career and feel I got everything out of it and was the best player I could be and won as much as I possibly could.
"I don't want to be sat at the end of my career thinking I could have done more, or left something out there.
"I believe I can achieve things here where I could maybe have found myself on the bench at City.
"That doesn't mean I am guaranteed to play in every game at Liverpool but I feel I have a better chance of playing every week if I perform.
"I think there were times at City when I had good games and then because of rotation you are out again.
"I feel it is my hands. By no means do I think I am going to play every game. I know I have to get out there and do my stuff and hopefully help Liverpool be very successful."
The England international insists there is no reason why Liverpool can't return to the top-four this season despite the strong competition they will face, and said he and his teammates will give everything they can to make that happen.
He added: "Two years ago Liverpool nearly won the title, so it's not that closed.
"It's hard for every team in the Premier League to get in the top four - it is so hard to win just one game. It is tough and to go and win the Premier League is even harder.
"But everything is there for us to be successful - the ground the fans, the manager, the players - everything is there and Liverpool FC is used to being successful.
"Being here and seeing the quality here, everything's there for us."
Milner admits he is settling in well to his new surroundings and enjoying being a part of one of the world's most famous football clubs.
"I've settled in quickly," he said. "We've had some good tests and built up our fitness.
"The boys have made it easy for me. I've moved clubs before and I know that it can take time to settle, it can take a year sometimes to get used to your surroundings.
"I don't know if its because I've done it before and I'm a bit older but I do feel a lot more comfortable a lot more quickly than at any other club I've moved to.
"That's all credit to the boys here and I hope that will show on the field because if you feel happy and comfortable you are going to play your best football."