Milan Baros, the top scorer at Euro 2004, has vowed to fight for his place at Liverpool after regaining his confidence with the Czech national team.
Baros powered the Czechs into the semi-finals on Sunday with two goals in a 3-0 defeat of Denmark which took his goal tally to five for the tournament.
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"Houllier knocked the confidence out of me. I wasn't being picked and I thought it would be best to leave Liverpool in the summer," he told the Liverpool website.
"I was very hurt at not being in the side. I was fit and felt it was an injustice. But a new coach has come in now and the situation has changed.
"Every player will start next season from the same point under Rafael Benitez and we will all have something to prove.
"I had lost my motivation at Liverpool and it was only when I met up with my national team mates that I lost weight, gained some mental belief and got my motivation back."
Since making his debut in the 1998-99 season for Banik Ostrava, the Czech club who discovered him, Baros has managed just 33 goals in Czech and English club football.
For his country he has been prolific, however, scoring 21 times in 29 matches including 11 in his last 10 outings for Karel Brueckner's side.
"I have heard people say I play differently for my country but that's simply not true," Baros said.
"I play exactly the same at Liverpool but when you play for your club there are not so many people watching you.
"All I can hope is that I transfer this form to next season and I'm sure I can."
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