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Yossi says why he left - Torres 70 million price tag - Scharner and Cole linked - Topic dedicated to Liverpool FC's South African fans Posted Sat July 10 2010 11:47 PM All from the Sunday Edition of The News of The World's Chris Bascombe Yossi Benayoun today accuses Rafa Benitez of making his life a misery at Liverpool. In an exclusive News of the World interview, the Israeli midfielder blasts Benitez for forcing out of Anfield and insists the Spaniard: *NEVER treated him with any respect. *DESTROYED his confidence. *TRIED to break him. *ORDERED him to find another club. Manager Benitez was sacked by Liverpool at the end of the season after a disastrous trophyless campaign which ended with the Reds failing to even qualify for the Champions League. And Benayoun, 30, reveals the truth about his volatile relationship with the man who has now replaced Jose Mourinho as boss of European Cup winners Inter Milan. "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. "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. "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." Booed 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. "It was as if the fans' reaction worked against me. The situation got worse afterwards. "He told me I was a better player as a substitute instead of starting in the team. "Then, when we played Birmingham after I hadn't started a game for a month, he didn't tell me I was starting until two hours before the game. "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. "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. Benitez tried to break me like he broke Riera. "I was sure he wanted me to attack him in the Press during the season so he could turn the fans against me, so I kept quiet. "I felt he was waiting for me to make a mistake so he could use it against me. Deal "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 and the deal was done before Benitez left." But Benayoun admits his relationship with Benitez deteriorated on the FIRST day of last season. "The previous season when we finished second in the Premier League, I was happy with my performance in the final months but I was not sure if the manager thought I was a good player," he added. "I told Benitez I would go if he wanted, but he told me I was important and he would give me a new contract, which I signed. "But then for the first game of the new season I wasn't in the team again. The manager ignored me when I wanted to know why. "After he ignored me for a long time, he needed me for Europe when Ryan Babel was suspended. "I said: 'You need me now and I will always do my best.' "I scored against Atletico Madrid in the Europa League semi-final. It was a really emotional moment for me. The fans could see what it meant to me. "I couldn't say at the time, but I knew this was my last season at Liverpool and I wanted a special end. "I thought: 'No matter how the manager is treating me, I'm showing the fans the club is in my heart.' "I knew I had to get away from Benitez. A lot of people at Liverpool treated me well and asked me to stay, but I could not turn down such a massive club as Chelsea. "I could not risk waiting to see if Benitez kept his job. "The club said they understood why I was unhappy and promised they'd let me leave in the summer if an offer came while Benitez was manager. Privilege "It is good for Liverpool Benitez has gone, but it was too late for me. "I know everyone working there will be a lot happier and I believe Roy Hodgson is a good choice. "It was a privilege for me to play for such a great club in front of great fans. I thought I would be staying for a lot longer." Benayoun realises he faces as tough a time forcing his way into the Chelsea side. He said: "I'm not stupid. I know Chelsea have many great players and it will be hard to play in the team every week. "But what's important for me is I know I will be treated with respect. "Carlo Ancelotti is a fantastic manager and he knows how to treat players." ------------------------------------ Fernando Torres will have to put in a transfer request if he wants to quit Anfield. And Liverpool will only let him go if they receive a mega bid in the region of £70million to force through a move to Chelsea. Roy Hodgson will speak to his star striker and his representatives after the World Cup Final in an effort to keep him. But if Torres says he wants out, he'll be told only a formal transfer request and a huge offer can make the deal of the summer possible. The Merseysiders are not shifting from their hard-line stance that the sale of Torres is not on the agenda. But there are fears the 26-year-old will ask the club to negotiate with the champions. Privately, Liverpool concede the dynamics will shift if the player declares he wants to go. They're well aware of the player's concerns about the future of the club and the interest in him from Carlo Ancelotti, although they have had no indication yet he's seeking to leave. No opening bid has been made and Anfield sources are describing suggestions Chelsea could lure Torres for around £30m as 'laughable'. ---------------------------------------- Nabil El-Zhar has revealed that he wants to quit Liverpool. The Morocco winger isn't prepared to hang around and attempt to impress new boss Roy Hodgson. After signing from St Etienne four years ago, he has failed to make his mark at Anfield and is desperate for regular first-team football. Even though he is under contract until 2012, El-Zhar has informed the Moroccan media of his desire to move on. "I want to leave Liverpool," he asserted. "I do not play often enough. "I'm 23 and I cannot afford to only play a few bits of games. "There are several European clubs interested and I will not close any doors." Meanwhile, Fiorentina's bid to sign Emiliano Insua is on hold. The full-back looked to be on his way to Serie A this week but Hodgson apparently wants to have a closer look at him before deciding whether to cash in. ------------------------------------------- Paul Scharner is hoping Roy Hodgson retains an interest in him to facilitate a dream switch to Liverpool. The out-of-contract Austrian is pondering his future after leaving Wigan. Talks are taking place with several clubs and the 30-year-old's agent believes a transfer to Anfield cannot be ruled out because Hodgson was keen to sign him for Fulham. "Roy Hodgson and Paul Scharner - this is a special relationship," said Valentin Hobel. "Hodgson is clear - he thinks Paul can use his physical strength better in midfield than in central defence. "We are in contact with several clubs and, because he is a free transfer, he can choose. "Liverpool would be a dream, of course." More discussions are expected next week with any interested parties with Aston Villa and Sunderland also credited with offers for the versatile performer. ---------------------------------- Liverpool have made plans for any departure of Fernando Torres by registering an interest in Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan. The powerful attacker, 24, enhanced his reputation in South Africa and would cost in the region of £20m from Rennes. Despite missing the crucial penalty that would have taken Ghana into the semi-finals, he made the shortlist of 10 players for the coveted Golden Ball award. New Reds boss Roy Hodgson has also been working hard to make Joe Cole his first prize capture of the summer. Liverpool are talking to Cole and his representatives, but fear the Londoner wants to stay near the capital for family reasons. The Reds are prepared to pay around £100k a week to Cole, who'd be guaranteed more first team football than he may get at Arsenal or even Spurs. What do you think of all these stories? Register on our forums to discuss.

Anyone know of any companies currently employing in Liverpool? Looking on all the websites but wondered if anyone has any inside knowledge

Give us them Manc twats, please.

Had a good root around the other main contenders forums concerning next Friday's CL draw and no fucker wants us. Many of the quotes say 'anybody but Liverpool'. We drew 2% on the CFC forum. Game on.