Kenny Dalglish hails Craig Bellamy contribution

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has hailed striker Craig Bellamy's contributions at the club following his summer arrival.

The former Manchester City man moved back to Merseyside after falling out of favour at the Etihad Stadium under former manager Mark Hughes's replacement Roberto Mancini.

However, Dalglish insists that the 32-year-old has made nothing but a "huge contribution" since returning to Anfield.

"Craig's a brilliant professional," he said. "Even since he was 17 years of age at Norwich. He sacrificed most of his wages to go and get weights to put in a garage somewhere to try and build himself up because he knew he had to strengthen himself up for football.

"He has made a huge contribution on and off the pitch here. What he did elsewhere, I don't know, I'm not really interested. I've never managed him before.

"He's the one that can tell you if there's been any change because he's been here before. Certainly the football club hasn't changed for me since the last time I was here."

Liverpool can climb to within eight points of Roberto Mancini's first-placed side with a win at Anfield this afternoon.