Rafael Benitez is set to lose a third first-team squad member for the start of the new season after it emerged that Ryan Babel is almost certain to compete at the Olympics.
The Holland international has worked hard throughout the summer to overcome an ankle injury that ruled him out of Euro 2008 at the last moment.
Babel has now returned to full training with Liverpool at Melwood, and the Dutch are expected to name him in their squad for the Beijing Olympics.
Benitez said: “Obviously, we are really pleased that Ryan is coming back to training because he is an important player for us and he has worked hard to recover from the injury he suffered with Holland. But we are really worried because after getting him fit it is likely that we could lose him again if he is selected for the Olympics. This is a big problem – we prepare him, then he goes away with the national team.”
Benitez has already lost Lucas to the Brazil squad and fellow midfielder Javier Mascherano as an over-age player with Argentina, who are also likely to call up left-back Emiliano Insua after Real Madrid put a block on Gabriel Heinze’s participation.
The Holland international has worked hard throughout the summer to overcome an ankle injury that ruled him out of Euro 2008 at the last moment.
Babel has now returned to full training with Liverpool at Melwood, and the Dutch are expected to name him in their squad for the Beijing Olympics.
Benitez said: “Obviously, we are really pleased that Ryan is coming back to training because he is an important player for us and he has worked hard to recover from the injury he suffered with Holland. But we are really worried because after getting him fit it is likely that we could lose him again if he is selected for the Olympics. This is a big problem – we prepare him, then he goes away with the national team.”
Benitez has already lost Lucas to the Brazil squad and fellow midfielder Javier Mascherano as an over-age player with Argentina, who are also likely to call up left-back Emiliano Insua after Real Madrid put a block on Gabriel Heinze’s participation.
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