Yossi Benayoun survives grenade attack on home in Israel
The 44-year-old, who also played for West Ham and Chelsea, and his family suffered the ordeal over the weekend.
Benayoun, the former Israel captain, suspects the attack near Tel Aviv was a case of mistaken identity.
Reports say that an individual on a motorbike launched the weapon into the home through the door.
There were no serious injuries following the explosion which caused 'minor damage'.
A police investigation is under way, with Benayoun sure the culprits targeted the wrong address.
'This is definitely a mistake – I have no doubt that the grenade was not aimed at my house,' he said. 'At first I thought it was a gas cylinder explosion and we called the fire department.
'It was only when the police arrived at the house and found the remains of a grenade that we realised what really happened.'
Benayoun, who also played for Arsenal and Queens Park Rangers during a successful spell in England, was recently back at Anfield playing in the Liverpool legends game alongside ex-skipper Steven Gerrard.
He is among the most successful and high-profile Israeli footballers of all-time, making over 200 Premier League appearances during an nine-year spell in England.
Benayoun played for West Ham for two years before making 92 appearances for Liverpool between 2007 and 2010.
He then followed former Anfield team-mate Fernando Torres to Stamford Bridge where he won the Europa League under ex-Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez, and also spent time on loan at Arsenal and back at West Ham, before a spell with QPR.
Police in Israel said the grenade incident happened on Sunday night.
A police statement read: 'The police hotline received a report of hearing an explosion outside a house.
'Police from the Glilot station arrived at the scene and began an investigation. As a result of the explosion, damage was caused. There were no casualties.'
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