Stephen Warnock has recalled his fury after a dream return to Liverpool was scuppered by Gerard Houllier.

Warnock, 42, who broke through at Anfield under Rafa Benitez before moving to Blackburn in 2007, joined Aston Villa in 2009, playing some of his best football under ex-Liverpool boss Houllier.

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Liverpool looked set to provide his escape route with Kenny Dalglish lodging a loan offer with an option to buy, only for Houllier, who had banished Warnock to reserves, to wreck the deal by moving the goalposts, via the Liverpool Echo.

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The late Gerard Houllier during his spell at Aston Villa.

He said: "I had a good relationship with him but when he went in at Villa, he just sided with Gerard all the time.

Having been told he was free to go home after a match at Manchester City, Warnock was then shocked to be reprimanded by Houllier, who demanded an apology,

When Warnock refused to say sorry, he was banished to the reserves and never played under Houllier again
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