Bayern Munich midfielder Xabi Alonso has revealed how Rafa Benitez pushed to sell him while at Liverpool.

In his autobiography, which is being serialised in The Guardian, Alonso reveals the current Newcastle manager decided to move him on in 2008.

"Rafa came to me and was very clear," Alonso wrote.

"He said, 'Xabi, we need the money to sign other players that I want'. In order to make that money, my name was the first on the list to be sold.

"I said, 'OK, Rafa, no problem. I am a professional. I understand that'. There was interest from Juventus. There was interest from Arsenal. But the clubs could not agree terms."