Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has revealed the major reason for leaving Liverpool.

The Spaniard has revealed that he found it hard to deal with the fact that Rafael Benitez wanted to sell him to fund a move for Gareth Barry last year, who was with Aston Villa at the time.

"It was a tough call and a very difficult decision to make after five years at the club," Alonso said.

"I have always said that it has been a professional relationship. I have always tried to do what he asked me to do, to try to deliver on the pitch, to do the talking on the pitch.

"Last summer when the club proposed I had to be sold to get funds to sign new players. It was difficult to accept that.

"I accept it as a professional but that moment probably changed my mind - and I thought, maybe, from that moment it was maybe time for a change."