Friday, September 09, 2011

Bellamy Image Not An Issue

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has no concerns about Craig Bellamy's bad-boy reputation.

The Wales international could make his debut in his second spell with the Anfield club against Stoke on Saturday after returning on deadline day of the summer transfer window.

Bellamy's previous time at Liverpool lasted just one season in 2006/07, when ex-boss Rafa Benitez decided a lack of discipline did not fit into his tactics.

The forward's initial spell was infamous for an alleged drunken attack with a golf club on former team-mate John Arne Riise during a training camp in the Algarve prior to a game against Barcelona in February 2007.

But Dalglish is not worried by Bellamy's combustible image, as the Liverpool boss joked in his pre-match press conference ahead of the trip to Stoke: "I don't think it will be a problem. He has given up golf."

He continued: "You wouldn't want to take the personality away from any player. It is amazing how people always focus on the bad side of somebody.

"They never really focus on the good side. That doesn't make a good story."

Dalglish added: "Fortunately he has come to a club that doesn't want to do that. We want to concentrate on the good bits."

Bellamy is reported to have accepted a pay-cut to join Liverpool in a free transfer from Manchester City this August.

And Dalglish is pleased to have signed the 32-year-old in what will seemingly be a back-up role to Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll.

"I don't know why I have never signed him before in my managerial career. Maybe I wasn't working when he was available," said Dalglish.

"He is somebody that has impressed me. He has got pace. He has got quality. He loves this club, which is very important, and he will be a fantastic asset for us."

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