Fernando Torres admits Rafa Benitez had to leave Liverpool - and the striker has refused to commit his own future to the club.
Benitez was axed by the Reds earlier this month after leading the club to seventh in the Barclays Premier League - their worst finish for 11 years - before replacing Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan.
Mired in internal conflict and financial doubts that have intensified over the last 12 months, Liverpool face a fight to hold on to their star players this summer - and Torres is not surprised that Benitez was shown the door.
'At this point I think it was best for everyone,' Torres told Spanish newspaper AS.
'He won everything, and last year they demanded too much from him.'
Benitez led the club to their fifth European Cup win in 2005 - their first for 21 years - and was central to persuading Torres to leave Atletico Madrid to become Liverpool's record signing in 2007.
However,the Spain striker is still waiting to win a major honour, leading Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester City to wonder if he is open to a transfer this summer.
The 26-year-old has previously insisted he is happy to stay at Liverpool but has warned that the team needs to bring in world class recruits.
Conversely, team-mates Javier Mascherano, Steven Gerrard, Yossi Benayoun and Dirk Kuyt have been linked with moves away from Anfield.
Frustration: Spain star Torres hasn't made his mark in South Africa just yet
On the eve of playing for his country in the World Cup last 16 matchagainst Portugal, Torres shunned questions about his future but hinted he was frustrated at the uncertainty at Anfield.
'They will tell us the situation after the World Cup. At the moment we don't have a coach,' he said, indicating questions about his future could wait till after the tournament in South Africa.
'What Torres wants is to beat Portugal. The rest, we'll see.'
Torres is one of a clutch of players who is struggling to fire at the World Cup and admits that injuries have taken their toll.
He required knee surgery shortly before the tournament and has looked a shadow of the player who scored a brilliant winning goal in the Euro 2008 final against Germany.
'It's not easy coming back after an operation,' he said. 'I think I still have a little way to go before I am back at 100 per cent, although I am close.'
Torres played a part in each of Spain's group games but is yet to get off the mark.
'Forwards are measured by goals,' he said. 'I read the English press and no one expected (Wayne) Rooney to go out of the World Cup without scoring a goal.
'If I had scored two goals against Honduras, when there were chances, it would be another matter. But that's football. I am calm because I know I have the confidence of (Spain manager Vicente) del Bosque.'
Kuyt adds to Liverpool's uncertainty by refusing to confirm his future Liverpool snub Benitez over £25m Mascherano as Barcelona lie in wait ..
Benitez was axed by the Reds earlier this month after leading the club to seventh in the Barclays Premier League - their worst finish for 11 years - before replacing Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan.
Mired in internal conflict and financial doubts that have intensified over the last 12 months, Liverpool face a fight to hold on to their star players this summer - and Torres is not surprised that Benitez was shown the door.
'At this point I think it was best for everyone,' Torres told Spanish newspaper AS.
'He won everything, and last year they demanded too much from him.'
Benitez led the club to their fifth European Cup win in 2005 - their first for 21 years - and was central to persuading Torres to leave Atletico Madrid to become Liverpool's record signing in 2007.
However,the Spain striker is still waiting to win a major honour, leading Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester City to wonder if he is open to a transfer this summer.
The 26-year-old has previously insisted he is happy to stay at Liverpool but has warned that the team needs to bring in world class recruits.
Conversely, team-mates Javier Mascherano, Steven Gerrard, Yossi Benayoun and Dirk Kuyt have been linked with moves away from Anfield.
Frustration: Spain star Torres hasn't made his mark in South Africa just yet
On the eve of playing for his country in the World Cup last 16 matchagainst Portugal, Torres shunned questions about his future but hinted he was frustrated at the uncertainty at Anfield.
'They will tell us the situation after the World Cup. At the moment we don't have a coach,' he said, indicating questions about his future could wait till after the tournament in South Africa.
'What Torres wants is to beat Portugal. The rest, we'll see.'
Torres is one of a clutch of players who is struggling to fire at the World Cup and admits that injuries have taken their toll.
He required knee surgery shortly before the tournament and has looked a shadow of the player who scored a brilliant winning goal in the Euro 2008 final against Germany.
'It's not easy coming back after an operation,' he said. 'I think I still have a little way to go before I am back at 100 per cent, although I am close.'
Torres played a part in each of Spain's group games but is yet to get off the mark.
'Forwards are measured by goals,' he said. 'I read the English press and no one expected (Wayne) Rooney to go out of the World Cup without scoring a goal.
'If I had scored two goals against Honduras, when there were chances, it would be another matter. But that's football. I am calm because I know I have the confidence of (Spain manager Vicente) del Bosque.'
Kuyt adds to Liverpool's uncertainty by refusing to confirm his future Liverpool snub Benitez over £25m Mascherano as Barcelona lie in wait ..
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