England defender Glen Johnson has claimed he knew his career at former club Chelsea was over because of the breakdown of trust with then coach Jose Mourinho.
Johnson, who this week completed a £17million move from Portsmouth to Liverpool, has accused Mourinho of breaking promises when they were both at Stamford Bridge.
Johnson revealed he realised he would have to continue his career elsewhere when he did not feature against Barcelona in the Champions League before later moving on to Pompey for £4million.
Johnson said: "I remember the lowest point was when Chelsea were set to play Barcelona in the Champions League.
"We had a couple of Premier League games to play before we played Barca, and Mourinho picked me for one of those games and told me in front of five witnesses that if I played well I would keep the shirt.
"I immediately told my agent that it didn't matter how well I played I would be dropped - because Mourinho wouldn't want me anywhere near the team for the Barcelona game.
"Sure enough, I was voted man of the match - and I was dropped from the squad."
Johnson remains puzzled over the reasons why he did not figure in the Portuguese coach's plans.
"You would have to ask Jose Mourinho what his reasons were, but I know it was because he didn't want to see me play well again and be forced to pick me for the Barcelona game.
"That was the day I knew I had to leave Chelsea. Managers have to stick to their word. You have to be able to trust them."
Johnson, who this week completed a £17million move from Portsmouth to Liverpool, has accused Mourinho of breaking promises when they were both at Stamford Bridge.
Johnson revealed he realised he would have to continue his career elsewhere when he did not feature against Barcelona in the Champions League before later moving on to Pompey for £4million.
Johnson said: "I remember the lowest point was when Chelsea were set to play Barcelona in the Champions League.
"We had a couple of Premier League games to play before we played Barca, and Mourinho picked me for one of those games and told me in front of five witnesses that if I played well I would keep the shirt.
"I immediately told my agent that it didn't matter how well I played I would be dropped - because Mourinho wouldn't want me anywhere near the team for the Barcelona game.
"Sure enough, I was voted man of the match - and I was dropped from the squad."
Johnson remains puzzled over the reasons why he did not figure in the Portuguese coach's plans.
"You would have to ask Jose Mourinho what his reasons were, but I know it was because he didn't want to see me play well again and be forced to pick me for the Barcelona game.
"That was the day I knew I had to leave Chelsea. Managers have to stick to their word. You have to be able to trust them."
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