Ex-Fulham boss Roy Hodgson was named manager of Liverpool yesterday, saying he was honoured to shoulder the challenge of the "biggest job in football".

The 62-year-old former Fulham, Inter and Switzerland manager takes over on a three-year contract from Rafael Benitez, who quit Anfield last month after six years following a disappointing season that saw them finish seventh in the table.

"This is the biggest job in club football and I'm honoured to be taking on the role of manager of Britain's most successful football club," said Hodgson.

"The club's tradition in terms of its football and its managers is really second to none and it was an opportunity which was absolutely impossible to turn down. I am both proud and excited at the prospect of working as the Liverpool manager."

Manager of the year Hodgson joins Liverpool after a successful spell at Fulham, guiding their Premier League rivals to the final of the Europa League in May.

He will come under immediate pressure to stop the rot at Anfield.

Liverpool were the pre-eminent club in English football during the 1970s and 1980s. But they were last crowned champions of England in 1990 and have not won the domestic title in the Premier League era.

Hodgson was heralded as the "right man for the job" by captain Steven Gerrard.

"The club have made a good appointment in Roy Hodgson," he said. "Roy is hugely experienced and I believe he is the right man for Liverpool."

Jamie Carragher, the vice-captain, described Hodgson as "one of the most experienced managers in world football".

"After this period of uncertainty, his appointment has given us all a lift," he said.

Hodgson's first priority at his new club will be to persuade the likes of Gerrard and striker Fernando Torres that they can have a successful future under his tenure. He then has to begin the task of strengthening a squad which is severely lacking strength in depth.