Former Liverpool midfielder Maxi Rodriguez has revealed how he was so desperate to seal his dream move to Anfield that he lied to Rafa Benitez about being able to speak English.

Rodriguez, who now plays for Argentine club Newell's Old Boys despite celebrating his 39th birthday in January, feared his free transfer from Atletico Madrid in the winter of 2010 would collapse because Kop boss Benitez told him he would only sign players who knew the lingo.

So the Argentina international told a “little lie” about his language skills so that the move would go through.

© PA Maxi Rodriguez lied to Rafa Benitez to seal his Liverpool move

Rodriguez had returned to South America for Christmas when he was told Benitez wanted to sign him – but his subsequent telephone conversation with the Liverpool boss was conducted in Spanish.

The player recalled: “Rafa told me that it was very important for everyone to speak English in the dressing room.

“He asked me if I knew how to speak the language and I said 'yes, of course, stay calm.'

© 2020 Getty Images ROSARIO, ARGENTINA - FEBRUARY 22:Maximiliano Rodriguezcelebrates after scoring his team's first goal during a match between Newell's Old Boys and Colon as part of Superliga 2019/20 at Coloso Marcelo Bielsa Stadium on February 22, 2020 in Rosario, Argentina.(Photo by Luciano Bisbal/Getty Images)

“Of course, I didn't want the negotiations to fail so I told a little lie.

“When I arrived in England, there was a press conference and Rafa told me he would speak first and then I would continue.

“That was when I grabbed him and said 'look Rafa, I need to confess something to you. I don't know English. The only thing I know is how to say hello.

“Rafa said 'you're a son of a b****.' But we were both laughing and afterwards I learned how to speak English.

© 2019 Getty Images ROSARIO, ARGENTINA - JANUARY 27: Maximiliano Rodriguez of Newells looks on before a match between Newell s Old Boys and Boca Juniors as part of Superliga 2018/19 at Estadio Marcelo Bielsa on January 27, 2019 in Rosario, Argentina. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)

“I was very good at Atletico. I was the captain and I knew the city very well.

"But English football drove me crazy and I wanted to play there."