AS I watched Craig Bellamy walk off the pitch to another standing ovation on Sunday night, I couldn’t help but wonder… why are there rumours that Bellamy might leave Liverpool?
According to reports, QPR and Cardiff are both interested in Bellamy, who is said to be considering his future at Anfield.
Bellamy wants first-team football and although Brendan Rodgers has expressed a desire to keep the Welshman, Bellamy is concerned about playing a bit-part role at Liverpool. Bellamy’s future is unlikely to be resolved until after the Olympics but, having watched Bellamy’s performances for Team GB against Senegal and UAE, I hope Rodgers can convince him to remain a Red.
On Thursday, Bellamy became the first man to score a goal for Great Britain at the Olympics in 52 years when he gave Team GB the lead against Senegal. Later in the game, he might have scored a winner for Great Britain had he not been fouled – or if a penalty had actually been awarded for the foul. Bellamy’s performance was so good that he even received a standing ovation at Old Trafford, despite the Manchester United fans booing him earlier in the game because of his association with Liverpool. At Wembley, where the fans where far less petulant and supported Bellamy throughout, Bellamy received a second standing ovation after setting up two of Team GB’s three goals.
Ryan Giggs may have scored the header that put Team GB 1-0 up, but Bellamy deserves credit for the cross that set Giggs up. Another great cross from Bellamy almost set up Tom Cleverley, who was unlucky to see his shot hit both posts. After some disappointing defending from Team GB allowed UAE to equalise, Bellamy had a role in putting Britain back in front. It was his cross that the UAE keeper fumbled, setting up Scott Sinclair for Britain’s second goal. Bellamy might not have got himself on the scoresheet against UAE, but he was one of Team GB’s best players and he played a vital role in the 3-1 victory.
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Given that Bellamy proved to be our best signing last summer – he was free and did a lot more for us than Stewart Downing or Jordan Henderson – it would be a shame to see him leave Liverpool just twelve months later. His performances for Team GB have proved two things; firstly, that despite his knee problems, he can play two games in four days and secondly, it would be easy to integrate him into Rodger’s tiki-taka style of football. They may not have played anything like Barcelona, or even Swansea, but under Stuart Pearce’s management Team GB have passed the ball around well. Bellamy has been perfectly comfortable playing a passing game and this has contributed to his superb Olympic performances.
At 33, Bellamy only has a few more seasons left in him, so I can understand if he wants to play regular football. But if he stays at Liverpool, he’ll get a chance to play European football and to challenge for a place in the top four. At QPR, the best he can hope for is mid-table obscurity and while he’d be a hometown hero at Cardiff, he’d also be playing in the Championship. Surely it’s better to be competing at the top of the Premier League with Liverpool, even if it means playing less football? Here’s to hoping that Brendan Rodger’s can bring Bellamy around to my way of thinking!
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according to bbc, aqua and carroll on their way out. i have a feeling cole and bellamy may be next. if all these happens we desperately need two in who can play in the front three (1 striker + 1 winger, or 2 wingers) also a central midfielder is a must. if any others head out such as agger or skrtel there is a huge upheavel happening and changes will take even longer to implement. exciting but uncertain times. huge trust in bren needed
What r u talking about u mug,
Firstly where’s ur maths, u say we need people to play in a front three but u only say 1 striker+ 1 winger, where’s the 3rd man dummy
Secondly central midfield is not the position either agger or skrtel,,,,
Even so we don’t need central midfielders we have enough
did you read below you ignorant mug. in case you havent realised we have players who can play in a front three but we need others to add quality you dummy. if you can see a full stop after ‘central midfielder is a must’ indicates the end of a sentence and the beginning of a new. therefore i know agger and skrtel are central defenders. and we do need a central midfielder to add quality imo. muppet
at the moment the 1st and 2nd elevens look like, assuming aqua and carroll are gone:
reina
johnson agger skrtel enrique
lucas
gerrard adam
bellamy suarez downing
doni
kelly/flanagan coates wilson/carragher robinson
spearing
henderson shelvey
cole borini pacheco
for age reasons, and the fact hes not an out and out winger i assume cole will be next. also due to bellamy’s age i would say hell be sold also. carra will be kept due to his future roll as coach at club eventually. age profiles would suggest that rodge is looking to have a young <24 2nd eleven. if allen comes in i think its fair to say adam will be on his way
Totally agree with your comments. You are smarter than you look.
For me cole can go but try keep Bellamy he’s ream!hope we get Ramirez on the wing & would like back
Up for Lucas as missed him bad last season.looks like Dempsey gonna join us along with Allen.keep hold of Dagger as main man in defence, carra to coach!