Real Madrid midfield schemer Xabi Alonso has explained why he chose to leave Liverpool.
Xabi admits Liverpool's pursuit of Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry, then with Aston Villa, upset him.
"At the end of that season, speaking to Rafa (Benitez), he told me the situation and that he wanted to sign other players and I could be one of the replacements," Alonso told Liverpool's official website.
"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, but knowing what had happened.
"I didn't know what would happen but at the end of the season, knowing what had happened, I felt if another option was to come I needed to take another step in my career.
"It was very difficult to take that decision, but it was probably for the best for me because I was not comfortable with that situation and if I had stayed another season it would have been uncomfortable for me.
"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.
"As soon as the season finished I talked to the manager. I knew that maybe Madrid were coming and I said if the terms were good then I wanted to leave."
