Benayoun: Benítez forced me out of Liverpool and tried to destroy me

Yossi Benayoun once claimed Rafa Benitez was the only reason he left Liverpool. The Israeli signed for the Reds in the summer of 2007 when Benitez was in charge at Anfield.

Benayoun went on to join rivals Chelsea in 2010, conducting an interview that same summer in which he slammed Benitez and claimed the manager never treated him with the respect he felt he deserved. Benitez had in fact left the club one month prior to Benayoun’s own departure but the Spaniard’s treatment of him meant he had made the decision to leave Anfield already.

"Everyone asks me why I left Liverpool," said Benayoun. "There is only one reason – Rafa Benítez. If I played well, I never felt he gave me credit.

"When I scored, I still expected to be out of the team the next game. On two occasions early last season, against Fulham and Lyon, the fans booed when I was subbed. They thought I was playing well but Benítez told me he was surprised the fans booed because I was not good enough.

Benayoun then issued a scathing verdict on Benitez, accusing him of attempting to ruin his confidence. He added: "He tried to destroy my confidence. You can't treat a player like this and expect him to be happy."

Benayoun revealed he had been unhappy but he did not speak out out of respect for the club. He added that the players and people at the club knew how he felt.

He continued: "I don't want to speak on behalf of other players at Liverpool, but people know what happened to Albert Riera and Xabi Alonso. It was the same for me. Benítez tried to break me like he broke Riera."

The winger explained how, before the final game of his final season, Benitez pulled him aside in training and said: "You will not be in the squad for this game. Thank you for your three years of service, now you can call your agent to do a deal with another club."

"That's when Chelsea made an offer," said Benayoun. "And the deal was done before Benítez left."

Benayoun ended his time at Liverpool with 29 goals in 134 appearances at an exciting but ultimately frustrating period in the Reds’ history, where they failed to win a trophy.

His move to Stamford Bridge was ultimately a failure and loan moves to Arsenal and West Ham followed before his permanent transfer to Queens Park Rangers midway through the 2013/14 season.