Bellamy is going nowhere - Rafa

By Mighty Reds
November 30 2006

Rafa Benitez scotched rumours that Craig Bellamy would be leaving Liverpool. Bellamy was found not guilty of assault charges yesterday and Rafa believes the nine months of waiting for the trial has taken it’s toll on the player.

He said:

"It is important that this is over as far as he is concerned," said Benitez.

"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.

"I have seen some interest in him, but only in the media. We are not thinking about swapping him for anyone, all we want is to see him scoring goals for Liverpool.

Bellamy who returned to training on Thursday will be in the squad to face Wigan on Saturday and benitez is hoping to see Craig concentrate on his football now the trial is behind him.

Rafa went on to say:

"I hope that he will be back to his best and scoring goals. You never know what the player is thinking about in such a situation, even if they are bright and seem happy," added Benitez.

"Now he has finished with this I hope he will be really focused on football and that can only help his general play.

"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."