New Liverpool signing Fernando Morientes has admitted that it was the arrival of Michael Owen at Real Madrid that made him decide to leave Spain.
Owen joined Madrid for £8m in August, a move which left Morientes, 28, fourth choice at the Bernabeu behind the England striker, Raul and Ronaldo.
“Owen’s arrival damaged me. It meant I was fourth,” Morientes told The Sun.
“But I had a good relationship with him, the only thing was the language as we couldn’t communicate very well.”
“The thing was that Michael’s introverted and that made talking to him difficult.”
Madrid appointed Brazilian Wanderley Luxemburgo said that he wanted Morientes to stay in the Spanish capital.
But Morientes said: “I took my decision to leave many days ago. When Sacchi and Luxemburgo told me they wanted me I told them there was no way back.
“My decision was final. It’s better not to wonder about whether things might have been different with other coaches.
“I’m a Liverpool player now and that’s all I’m worried about.”
