Yossi Benayoun has revealed that former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez to be the reason behind his departure from Liverpool to Chelsea., accusing the Spaniard of trying to break him and treating him with disrespect.
In an interview with the News of The World, Benayoun said: " Everyone asks me why I left Liverpool. There is only one reason - Rafa Benitez. I agreed to join Chelsea before Roy Hodgson was appointed Liverpool's new manager.”
“I made up my mind to leave a long time ago as he never treated me with the respect I deserved. 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. And when the fans wanted me to play, Benitez told me he couldn't understand why."
The 30-year-old continued: "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.
"On the day before the final game of last season at Hull, Benitez pulled me to one side after 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. 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."
