Stoke midfielder Charlie Adam has revealed the reason he had to leave Liverpool ahead of his return to Anfield on Sunday - he just wants to play football.
Adam joined the Potters in the summer after just one season with the Reds and admits playing time was the biggest factor in his decision.
"I want to be a footballer - and that means playing on a Saturday afternoon," Adam told the Daily Mirror.
"I could have stayed at Liverpool and played maybe 15 to 20 times a season, but that isn't enough for me.
"I want to play 30 to 40 times a season.
"For me, playing on a Saturday is what being in his profession is all about and thankfully I'm at a club where the manager wants to use me.
"Obviously I know that I have to perform to stay in the team and I'm happy with that.
"We have good competition here and that is only a good thing for every member of the squad."
The Scotland international has no bad feelings on his return and claims he will always be grateful to former boss Kenny Dalglish for giving him the chance to play for Liverpool.
"Yeah, I'm looking forward to it," said the 26-year-old. "It will be nice to go back and see a few familiar faces again.
"I was there for a year and it was a special year for me. Playing for a club the size of Liverpool was a real experience for me and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there.
"I'm a Stoke player now, though, and I'm looking forward to going back to Anfield and hopefully getting the three points.
"If we can perform the way we know we can, then we can win the game for sure."
Stoke are notorious for their direct approach but Adam rejects the notion that he has joined a mere long-ball team.
"Everyone labels this club as [playing from] back to front but, believe me, we have players who can pass the ball," said the former Blackpool man.
"We have a lot of quality here and I'm very happy to be part of that.
"I don't think the gaffer is going to change the way he approaches games, and rightly so. What he has achieved in the game with this club is absolutely incredible.
"Tony's formula is obviously a successful one and he would be silly to try and change it too much.
"When you have a player like Peter Crouch up front, who is 6ft 7in, then why not use him?
"Yes, the new players who have arrived with me will hopefully add that little bit more quality to the team, but it's fundamental that we evolve as a team by playing the way the gaffer wants us to.
"If we do that, then we will enjoy even more success and, if we play to our capabilities, a top-10 finish is certainly a realistic aim for us."
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