Rafa Benitez has blamed former Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett for his Anfield exit in 2010.
The Spaniard took over as Reds manager in 2004, and famously won the Champions League in his first season on Merseyside before lifting the FA Cup the following year. And while he'd lead Liverpool to another European Cup final in 2007 and challenged for the title in 2008/09, a poor 2009/10 campaign saw him leave the club by mutual consent.
Hicks and Gillett bought the club from David Moores in March 2007, and were responsible for signing the likes of then club-record signing Fernando Torres the following summer. But their Anfield reign nearly led Liverpool into financial ruin, before FSG took over in October 2010.
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During Benitez's final years at the club, he infamously clashed with both owners, former chief executive Rick Parry, and his replacement Christian Purslow. And he admits everything was fine for him with the Reds, 'until the Americans arrived'.
"At Liverpool they have always treated me very well, apart from the last few months with the new owners," he told Marca. "I distinguish very well who is in charge and what his fans are.
"My adventure at Liverpool lasted five-and-a-half years, from joy to joy, until the Americans arrived and the last year we had no money. But I have great memories, my family lives here, many of my friends are from Liverpool."
After leaving Liverpool, Benitez would later enjoy a brief stint in charge of boyhood club Real Madrid in 2015/16. As a result, he opted to sit on the fence when asked who wanted to see win when his two former sides meet in the Champions League round-of-16.
" I'll just try to enjoy the game! Logically, I would like to see (Liverpool) win," he admitted. "But I don't like to see Madrid lose. If you ask me a favorite, I can't give you any.
"Any quality detail from a player can make a difference. If Liverpool play at home with the same intensity as against Everton, anything can happen, they can score goals and they can win.
"But the second game would remain, where Real Madrid, with quality and experience, could come back. For me there is no favourite."
Benitez was also asked if he could ever see himself returning to Liverpool as manager. While he didn't rule out the possibility, he pointed out there is no room for him while Jurgen Klopp remains in charge. Meanwhile, he also predicted the Reds will make a number of transfers in the summer following their disappointing season so far.
"I think that Jurgen Klopp is going to continue because he is doing well and they have already said that they are going to support him," he said. "For this reason, I don't think I have much room to take Liverpool. Klopp is doing well and he has support. He will continue.
"The players, if they always hear the same message and do the same training sessions, they get tired. The solution is to vary and update, changing certain players from time to time.
"I think Jurgen will continue because there is a lot of money in the Premier League, you can go to the market and buy and renew the squad. Obviously, sometimes a lot of money is paid for players who are not that high level.
"But, if you have money, you buy three new footballers, hit the mark and you have already changed the face of the team."
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