Benitez made my life miserable at Liverpool: Benayoun

London: Israeli midfielder Yossi Benayoun has accused former Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez of making his life a misery at the club.

Benitez left Liverpool at the end of the season after a disastrous trophy less campaign, which ended with the Reds failing to even qualify for the Champions League.

Benayoun reveals the truth about his volatile relationship with the man who has now replaced Jose Mourinho as boss of European Cup winners Inter Milan, News of the World reports.

"Everyone asks me why I left Liverpool," said Benayoun, who joined Premier League champions Chelsea in a £5.5million move earlier this month.

"There is only one reason - Rafa Benitez. I agreed to join Chelsea before Roy Hodgson was appointed Liverpool's new manager. It's a dream for me such a fantastic club have given me this opportunity," he said.

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"But I want Liverpool fans to know the truth and for them to know 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" Benayoun said.

"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," he said.

Benayoun, who scored nine goals for Liverpool last season, added: "There are many examples of him treating me badly. On two occasions early 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 the fans booed because I was not good enough," Benayoun added.