Benitez praises Bellamy ahead of Anfield clash

Liverpool will welcome Craig Bellamy back to Anfield on Monday night for the first time since he was sold to West Ham United almost 18 months ago.

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Bellamy was eventually sold for £14m.

Rafael Benitez knows the threat Bellamy can pose very well from his spell on Merseyside, and believes the striker's pace will provide a test for his defence.

The Wales international missed much of last term through injury but, for the time being, seems to have put those problems behind him.

The 29-year-old scored seven goals in 40 appearances for the Reds in a two-year spell before heading to Upton Park.

The Liverpool boss said of Bellamy's return: "West Ham have pace with Craig up front, he is a good player. I had a lot of confidence in him, he was a very good professional and worked hard, he is a winner.

"You could see that in every training session. But maybe if you want to play every game in a top side it is difficult. He eeded to change. For me he was a good professional, he tried from the beginning to the end and was a very good player for us.

"Some players want to play every week. In a top side it is not easy, you have two games a week and play only one. It is hard to change players, they prefer to play every week and you need to understand that. Bellamy was a good player for us and will be a threat.''

And Benitez also had words of encouragement for his adversary in the Hammers dugout. Gianfranco Zola has had a tough time since replacing Alan Curbishley though last week's win at Sunderland provided a long overdue boost. However, West Ham have not won at Anfield since 1963.

Benitez said: "He is learning to be a manager as games go by, and that is not easy. Zola was a fantastic player, but to be a manager in England is totally different. He has been under pressure, but he is clever and he has brought in some experienced people onto his staff.

"He has had problems, but West Ham won their last away game at Sunderland and that has helped. They will be confident and they can be dangerous.

"It will be difficult for West Ham to get anything at Anfield, but we have had experience already of teams coming here and being organised and defending well.''