Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has revealed that he knew he was leaving Liverpool as early as a year ago.

Alonso has chosen to reveal the full details of his departure after his £28 million exit from Anfield.

The Spain international recounted his decision to pull out of a Champions League game to witness the birth of his son three years ago had put a strain on his relationship with Reds boss Rafa Benitez.

Alonso has also found it difficult to be labeled as a cash cow after Benitez tried to offload him a year ago.

The 27-year-old is part of the new generation of Real Madrid 'Galacticos' after his transfer last month.

He's waited till now to reveal details about his relationship with former boss Benitez, and his satisfaction of being at Real.

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

"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."

Benitez had no qualms about publically rallying for the Reds to sign Gareth Barry from Aston Villa last season.

Alonso was seen as a means to fund the expensive move, but the transfer did not go through and Barry joined Man City instead this year.

And Alonso added: "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."

Rafa could not hide his wrath against Alonso when he chose to take off from a Champions League last-16 second leg at Inter Milan, with Liverpool leading 2-0, to be by his pregnant wife's side.

Alonso's wife Nagore gave birth to his son, Jon, but his joy started the downward spiral of his relationship with his manager.

Benitez expects total commitment from his players, and he did not leave the Reds Club World Cup match in Japan in 2005 when his father died.

But Alonso said: "When the birth of my child happened, I had to make a decision. I had to be with my family as it was a very important moment."

The clash between manager and player, coupled with the need for reinforcements at Anfield to rival Manchester United and Chelsea for the Premier League title led to only one conclusion.

Alonso's summer move helped facilitate a £17.5m deal for Glen Johnson and the £18m transfer of Alberto Aquilani. Alonso left the Kop having won a Champions League winner's medal and FA Cup victory. And the former Anfield hero is adamant that he will never forget the Reds' fans.

He told Sky Sports: "I've been lucky enough to experience wonderful nights at Anfield, to experience the support of probably the best fans in the world."

"That's why I've always been very grateful and I will always have them in my mind. It's been an absolute pleasure."

Alonso now has to prove that he's worth the hefty investment made by Los Merengues.

The world's richest club has not won the coveted Champions League trophy for seven years and expectations at the Bernabeu weigh in even heavier than the ones at Liverpool.

Alonso will also compete with £80m Cristiano Ronaldo and £62m Kaka for a share of the limelight.

Los Blancos, now rebuilt at a huge cost, have also brought in Karim Benzema, Raul Albiol and Alvaro Arbeloa to overtale Barcelona.

Alonso said: "It's a huge challenge for me and the club. The expectations are high because of the massive investment in new players."

"It has brought a lot of hope to Real supporters and we hope to deliver."

"They thought that they needed a player like me, that's why they put so much interest in myself. I'm very grateful for that."

"The manager wants me to be the link between defence and attack."

Alonso is absolutely over the moon for the opportunity to play with and not against former United superstar Ronaldo.

The Portuguese was given his dream move to Real early in the offseason for a world record fee.

And now with Alonso's vision and Ronaldo's tricks, along with the dynamic play of Kaka, Real Madrid are now a force to be reckoned with.

The Spaniard said: "Kaka is a player who comes along every five to 10 years, it is a pleasure to play with him."

"Cristiano is unique, he has been very successful. Now this is a big challenge for him to do as well as he did in the Premier League."