Liverpool's Glen Johnson Reveals Turning Point That Forced Him to Leave Chelsea

Liverpool full back Glen Johnson firmly believes Brendan Rodgers is a better man manager than Jose Mourinho after revealing the moment he lost respect for the Chelsea boss during his time at Stamford Bridge.

Johnson played under Mourinho from 2004 to 2006 but was unable to establish himself as the club's consistent first option at right back before moving to Portsmouth where he would eventually catch the eye of Liverpool.

Now 29, Johnson recalls his attempts to break into the Chelsea's starting XI as a teenager, believing the Chelsea boss refused to keep his promises of first team football because of his tender years.

"It was difficult for me under Jose at Chelsea because there was a moment when he said I deserved to play on merit," Johnson told the Daily Mail.

"He said if I played well in the next game I would play the week after. I got man of the match so he couldn't drop me.

"Then in the next game he said the same thing and I got man of the match again.

"Then we had another game and after that Barcelona. I remember speaking to my agent and saying, 'he won't play me in this game because if I play well then he has to play me against Barcelona', and I knew that wasn't going to happen.

"He didn't play me in that game and from that moment I just lost it and thought, 'well, how am I meant to respect you now? It's just finished'.

"Brendan wouldn't do that. He's shown that if you're good enough you're old enough and you'll play in the big games if you deserve to.

"So in terms of man-management, Brendan is definitely better."

Johnson now stands as one of the senior players in a young Liverpool squad whose title challenge is gaining momentum each week. The England international, who is set win his 50th cap for his country against Denmark in the absence of Kyle Walker, adds that Rodgers' patient approach to instilling his own philosophy on the current Reds side has him well placed to lead the club to success.

"Some managers like the thought of playing the way Brendan does but haven't got the confidence or knowhow to pull it off," Johnson said of his manager's approach to the game.

"Others would probably have panicked and changed their philosophy just to try and win.

"But Brendan was mentally strong enough and knew what he was trying to implement was right and that once we grabbed hold of it we would be a success."