Liverpool Football Club News

• Nickname:Reds
• Founded:1892
• Manager:Kenny Dalglish

• Ground:Anfield
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Rafa backing for Bellamy

30 Nov 2006 - 16:07:16

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Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has backed troubled striker Craig Bellamy to bounce back after he was found not guilty of two assault charges earlier in the week.

The Wales international returned to training on Thursday after a five-day hearing in Cardiff and will be named in the Reds' squad to face Wigan on Saturday.

Bellamy has struggled to find his best form since a £6million move to Anfield in the summer and has managed only one goal in the Premiership.

"It is important that this is over as far as he is concerned. It is good that he can now focus on football and that he will start to play to his true level and we will see some good goals from him," said Benitez.

"I do not really know whether it was all playing on his mind more than he showed. When I have been talking to him, it was clear he was trying to do his best on the pitch but maybe if you can analyse such a situation, it could well have been more of a problem for him in his head.

"He is a bright, bubbly lad. But having to spend five days in court is hard."