Maxi rejoins Old Boys

Midfielder Maxi Rodriguez has left Liverpool to rejoin former club Newell's Old Boys in Argentina.

The 31-year-old never established himself as a regular first-team starter after joining from Atletico Madrid in January 2010, but still managed some stand-out performances. Rodriguez scored 17 goals in 73 appearances, the highlights being two hat-tricks in the space of a couple of weeks against Birmingham and Fulham in 2011, while last season he scored in two victories over Chelsea in quick succession at Stamford Bridge. The Argentinian, a fans' favourite if not one with the three different managers he had at Anfield, wrote an open letter to supporters. "Dear Reds, I am leaving Liverpool FC today," it said. "Before signing for LFC, I just saw the club as one of the greatest institutions in football. "After my time here I can confirm that this is not just a great club but also a great family. I have tried to give everything every day that I was wearing the LFC crest. It has been a great honour to defend this shirt during two and a half years."