'I never wanted Craig to leave'
Steven Gerrard today welcomed Craig Bellamy's Anfield return - and insisted he never wanted the Welsh striker to leave in the first place.
Bellamy completed his free transfer move back to Anfield on transfer deadline day last week - much to the delight of his skipper.
"I'm delighted that Craig is back - I didn't want him to leave in the first place," Gerrard said.
"That pace and the fiery character he's got will help us in our push for success this season.
"When he was here before he was popular and one of the hardest working in training. He was always in the gym getting himself in good shape.
"What people need to realise is that Craig is a top professional. He works really hard day in, day out.
"He's very knowledgeable about the game and I know even though he's slightly older than me he will still want to learn and do well here.
"I'm sure he will be desperate to play for Kenny. He will have watched Liverpool from the outside like me in recent months and seen a lot of positive things. He will be excited to come back and we're glad to have him back."