Liverpool Had Enough Of Bellamy
Last updated : 20 February 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor
At Norwich the players locked him in a changing room locker and threw away the key because they were so sick of him. At Coventry they actually "sent him to Coventry". At Newcastle Alan Shearer was just one of many to threaten to "put his lamps out". And at Liverpool ...
Rafael Benitez is reported to have fined 15 players who broke a midnight curfew during the squad's five-day trip to Portugal last week, and ring-leader Bellamy was alleged to have tried to strike John Arne Riise over the head with a golf club!
The Spaniard is said to be incensed that preparations for the Champions League tie with Barcelona have been overshadowed by reports of drunken brawls and apparently Craig Bellamy is on his way out of the club.
Although Bellamy is expected to start against the Spanish champions on Tuesday night, his days at Anfield appear to be numbered.
According to The Daily Telegraph, his latest brush with controversy has convinced Benitez to offload the Welsh striker at the end of the season, and Blackburn manager Mark Hughes is expected to offer Bellamy a Premiership lifeline.
However, The Sun says that Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill, who signed Bellamy on loan two years ago for Celtic, will also make a move.
2001-5 C.Bellamy 119/13 42
Signed from Coventry City in the summer of 2001 for £6m, one year after Bobby Robson tried to sign him from Norwich. Striker who went through a terrible time at Highfield Road, and blamed for Coventry's relegation. But his first season at SJP was remarkable. His injury towards the close of 2001/2 cost United a crack at the title. Made headlines on the front of the newspapers as well as the back for incidents including rascial abuse. Then of course there was the physical battle on the training ground as soon as Graeme Souness arrived at SJP. Souness tried to sell him to Birmingham but he turned it down at the last moment and went on loan to Celtic. Sold to Blackburn Rovers in July 2005 for £5m plus add-ons.