Former Liverpool midfielder Vladimir Smicer has opened up on the frosty man-management treatment he claims himself and other members of the squad endured during Rafa Benitez's reign at Anfield and the subsequent sad end to his Reds career.
The Czech midfielder spent six years on Merseyside after joining from Ligue 1 outfit RC Lens in 1999 under former boss Gerard Houllier. Despite primarily existing as a bit-part player under both Houllier and Benitez, Smicer's Liverpool career ended in the most extraordinary circumstances as he scored the Reds' second goal in the thrilling Champions League final comeback against AC Milan in Istanbul in May 2005.
But despite conquering Europe in his final outing for the club, Smicer has revealed that up until his last moments as a contracted player he was hoping Benitez would offer him a new deal on Merseyside. Something which never transpired and led to Smicer sealing a return to France as he joined Bordeaux. But the midfielder was also denied a swansong Anfield appearance as the Reds looked to capitalise on a final-day slip-up from Everton, which never came, and clinch a fourth-place finish in the Premier League.
