Jose Enrique has revealed why he left Newcastle United in 2011.

The Spaniard had won Newcastle's Player of the Year award in 2009/10 but was soon sold, taking to Twitter to criticise Toon owner Mike Ashley.

"It's good for me to address the tweet," Enrique told The Athletic.

"It was a mistake. You have to remember I was only 25, still a kid when it comes to being a footballer. But I also said it because I was really angry; I was so mad.

"The club was selling our best players and I felt they were breaking up a team that could have done special things.

"Leaving wasn't about money. It was about the fact Liverpool were ambitious. They had that vision. Newcastle seemed more interested in selling their best players than trying to do well on the pitch. I wanted to win things and did, with the League Cup at Liverpool.

"I loved Newcastle, I loved the fans and I was settled there. It was actually my brother, Salva, who helped convince me to go to Liverpool. I told him: 'I am happy at Newcastle. I have been here four years and, if I sign a six-year deal, it will be 10. Maybe I can stay even longer and become a legend here.'

"But he said, 'Jose, when a team like Liverpool come for you, a team who want to win trophies, you have to go'. And it's true. A football career is short. I couldn't stay and watch fans who I loved have to settle for what was happening."