The 24-year-old insisted it was Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez's promise he "will make me a better player" that was the key to his £17million move from Portsmouth to Anfield.

Johnson, who claimed there was very little chance he would have returned to Stamford Bridge, also clearly had doubts about Manchester City's big-money drive to buy their way into the Champions League places.

Johnson said: "There were other clubs in for me but I didn't really come close to going back to Chelsea. Once I spoke to Rafa (Benitez) and knew what he wanted from me, it was an easy decision.

"The key was that he was keen to help me improve and turn me into a better player.

"I kept hearing and reading about other clubs interested in me, and Manchester City was one.

"City are buying some very good players and they will be a challenge. But you can buy good players and not necessarily buy a good team.

"I am coming here to win a few trophies. City will have their ambitions but so do I.

"Once I'd heard about Liverpool, and realising I would be playing with some really great players, it was an easy decision."

He added: "I left Chelsea because I wanted to play more games and that hadn't been happening. Portsmouth took me on and I was grateful, I played week in, week out and I like to think that I showed a better perspective of myself and what I can do as a player.

"Now I have been given this opportunity and I want just to do what I did last season, play regularly and play well and improve more as a player.

"It is a big season, with the World Cup next summer and my ambitions to get there with England. But for now I am concentrating on showing my best for Liverpool and everything else will follow on from that."

He added: "This is a fantastic club with great history and it is a great opportunity for me.

"I've always had a soft spot for them. When I was growing up in south London, my mum bought me my first football kit and it was a Liverpool one.

"This is a great team and a great squad and we will make it difficult for anyone playing against us.

"We can win the title, we can all improve, pick up a few more points and see where that takes us."