Cisse, recovering from a broken leg sustained prior to France’s World Cup campaign, insists Benitez has told him he is no longer wanted at Anfield.

Talking in a Sky Sports interview, Cisse said: “I’m a troublemaker? So why did Harry Kewell dedicate his goal to me in the World Cup?

“How can I be a troublemaker if someone like that thought of me ahead of his family, his children and his wife? Everybody likes me, I am not scared to say that.”

Cisse, who will join Marseille on loan when he recovers from his injury, also claims he did not complain last season when he was left on the bench or played out of position.

He said: “I have kept my cool. The manager put me on the bench five times, six times, he put me right side then left side and I never moaned or complained to him.

“Now he has asked me to leave. It is too much. It is too easy to make it look like I want to go, but he should be man enough to admit that he wants me to leave.

“I have been asked to leave the club, and when the manager who has the power to play you or not asks that, then it is best to go.

“But only after that conversation did I say that I would be happy to go to Marseille.

“I am friends with everybody, I get on well with all the staff, I got married here and my son was born here. It is really hard because I want to stay here for a long time, but it is not my choice.”

Benitez welcomed new signings Craig Bellamy and Argentinean youngster Gabriel Paletta to Liverpool’s Melwood training ground today – with Valencia full back Fabio Aurelio about to complete the fine details of his move from Spain.

The Brazilian’s contract with Valencia ended on Friday, and the Anfield club insist that the final details of a four-year contract are near to completion.

Liverpool’s World Cup players have an extra fortnight off before starting training.

The FA Cup holders play Wrexham at the Racecourse ground on July 15 and Crewe at Gresty Road on July 22 before setting off for their regular Austrian training camp at Bad Ragaz on July 25.

By then, Steven Gerrard and co will have joined up with the rest of Benitez’s squad.

The Reds will play Mainz on August 4 and hope to have another two friendlies organised for the stay in Austria before returning for the Champions League third qualifying round first leg on August 9 and the Community Shield clash with Chelsea at the Millennium Stadium on August 13.

Their Premier League campaign starts at Sheffield United on August 19 with the Champions League second leg on the 23rd.