Former Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun has revealed that former Anfield boss Rafa Benitez was the reason he left the club and joined Chelsea this summer (Chelsea 6/4 to win the Premier League title).
The 30-year-old moved to the London club after failing to secure regular first-team football at Liverpool and will now be helping Chelsea try and retain the Premier League title and push on in Europe next season.
However the Israeli has come out and slammed his former manager for his behaviour during their time at the Merseyside club (Liverpool 10/1 to win the Premier League).
He told the News of the World: “I made up my mind to leave a long time ago because of Benitez. He never treated me with the respect I deserved. If I played well, I never felt he gave me credit.
“And when the fans wanted me to play, Benitez told me he couldn’t understand why.”
Benayoun stated that on a number of occasions last season he was put down by the Spaniard after the player himself thought he had performed well.
He said: “There are many examples of him treating me badly.
“Last season, against Fulham and Lyon, the fans booed when I was subbed. They thought I was playing well but Benitez told me he was surprised they booed because I was not good enough,? he added.
The midfielder joined Liverpool from West Ham United in July 2007 and became a good utility player at the club but found it difficult to claim a starting eleven spot under Benitez.
Despite Roy Hodgson taking over as a manager at the Anfield club Benayoun decided it was time to leave and, after being given plenty of offers from clubs around Europe, he decided to join the Blues.
The player decided not to express his opinions of his former manager whilst at the club but has stated how Benitez damaged the player’s self belief.
He said: “He tried to destroy my confidence. You can’t treat a player like this and expect him to be happy.
“I felt so unhappy but, out of respect to the club, I never spoke out. The players and the people at the top of the club knew how I felt.”
Liverpool will be looking to improve on last season’s seventh place in the Premier League and begin their campaign against Arsenal at Anfield on August 14 (Liverpool 5/4, draw 23/10, Arsenal 7/4).
Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.
Yossi Benayoun has admitted Liverpool have endured a disappointing season but he is determined to finish it on a high by winning the Europa League next month (13/8 with totesport).