A former Liverpool star opened up on the treatment he received under his manager at Anfield
Liverpool Manager Rafael Benitez issues instructions to Yossi Benayoun of Liverpool during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on October 25, 2009 in Liverpool, England.
Yossi Benayoun said Rafael Benitez made his time at Liverpool a misery
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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.
He reportedly went back on an agreement to stay at West Ham in order to force through the move, joining at the same time as the likes of Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel. Benayoun quickly made an impact by scoring 11 goals in his first campaign for Liverpool, although 21 of his appearances that season came as a substitute.
But his time on Merseyside ended on a sour note after just three seasons with the club. The 45-year-old, who retired in 2019, puts that down to Benitez's infamously cold demeanour and management style.
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 poses with Benitez
Benayoun signed a long-term contract extension in the summer of 2009, but ended up leaving Liverpool for Chelsea a year later
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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."
Rafael Benitez the head coach / manager of Liverpool talks to Yossi Benayoun of Liverpool (Photo by AMA/Corbis via Getty Images)
Benitez told the winger to leave
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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.
Two of Benayoun’s former sides - West Ham and Liverpool - face off in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. The Reds have been in atrocious form both domestically and in Europe, having fallen down to 12th place ahead of their trip to east London.