Xabi: Benitez used me

Alonso quit the Reds for Real Madrid in 2009, gutted to discover he was seen as a pawn in the club's transfer dealings.

Kop boss Benitez missed out on Gareth Barry the previous summer. But Alonso revealed his fellow Spaniard's move for the then Aston Villa skipper made up his mind to quit.

Midfielder Alonso said: "At the end of the 2008 season, speaking to Rafa, he told me the situation and that he wanted to sign other players and I could be one of the replacements.

"If an offer would have come, probably I would have been sold.

"That's when I told myself that the situation had changed - from being a very important player to being one of those who can be sold to get funds to sign other players.

"I accepted it because I am a professional but you have to realise what your situation is.

"At the end nothing happened because there was no agreement and we started my last season in Liverpool."

The 2008/09 season was Alonso's best in a Liverpool shirt as they ran Manchester United close in the title race.

But Alonso insisted he did not try any harder in a bid to show Benitez what he would be missing.

He said: "I didn't feel I had a point to prove. I knew what I was capable of giving to the team and what I had given for the four years.

"In the last one the team was really good. We were very competitive and it was a disappointment not to win the league.

"I was really happy with the team and my team-mates and felt that we could do great things.

"I was happy on that side but within a club you have to see the big picture and another season would have been too much for me."