"I had a meeting with Rafael Benitez before I left the club and was aware of what he wanted," said Gerard Houllier's former right-hand man.
"I said I understood and there was no problem with me leaving. I realised he felt the need to change things and bring in his own staff.
"Actually, I found him a really nice guy, as I did his assistant, Paco Ayesteran. Both of them were top class the way they handled the change.
"After what Rafa did in Spain he was always going to be a top candidate if Gerard had to go.
"In the space of a few months, Benitez built a team to topple Real Madrid and Barcelona. That's not lucky; that means you are tops at your job.
"I hope he can manage to bring to Anfield what we didn't - the Premiership title. The fans want it so badly and they deserve it.
"We have had too much mickey-taking for too long from Manchester and nothing would give me more pleasure than to see Rafa and his team bring it back.
"But people must be patient - he has to stamp his style and his authority on the team. Good luck to him and his staff.