Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers admits a job offer from Manchester City lifted his self-belief while out of work.

Rodgers had the chance to join Roberto Mancini's coaching staff two years ago, but Swansea offered him their No. 1 job and, buoyed by City's interest, he took it.

He said: "I was out of the game after leaving Reading and got a call from Brian ­Marwood saying there was a possibility of me going to Manchester City.

"I spent a couple of days up there, looking at the project and everything. Then I flew to Milan and met Roberto.

"It was really exciting and I didn't think I was going to get a manager's job, so the next best thing would have been at least working with top-class players.

"But then I got the call from Swansea to be their No. 1 and the chance to manage a great club like that was too good to turn down, ­irrespective of money and whatever.

"City coming in for me was good for my confidence. I was grateful because at the time I was on the outside looking in.

"They gave me back my confidence, I went to Swansea and thankfully everything has worked out well."