Djibril Cisse has revealed that he was axed by Liverpool because of a perceived lack of pace.
The striker faces his old side tonight with new club Queens Park Rangers, six years after leaving the Reds for Marseille.
"[Rafa Benitez] told me he was letting me go because he needed pace up front," Cisse said.
"Now, I believe I can do the 100 metres in less than 11 seconds. So I asked him who he was going to sign, Carl Lewis or Usain Bolt?
"I said to him 'Don't tell me you need pace.' It's like saying to Lionel Messi you need technique. I was upset."
Cisse helped Liverpool to Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FA Cup victory.
Queens Park Rangers are currently 18th in the Premier League, 20 points off seventh-placed Liverpool.
