Bellamy a 'scapegoat' for Liverpool's training-trip fracas

LIVERPOOL - CRAIG Bellamy has been made a scapegoat for Liverpool's training-camp ruckus in Portugal.

Sources within the club suggest the 27-year-old Welsh international's bad-boy reputation was exploited to deflect blame from a large number of players involved in breaches of discipline.

Other players said to have been involved include Robbie Fowler, Jermaine Pennant and Jerzy Dudek.

Yesterday, the club continued its investigation into how details of the incident were leaked to the media.

It was concerned that Bellamy, who has a history of aggressive behaviour on and off the pitch, may be the victim of deliberate attempts to further damage his name, reported The Liverpool Echo.

The manager Rafael Benitez, while furious, is understood to regard the striker as no more or less guilty than any of the other players involved.

Yesterday, The Mirror reported that the Spaniard read the riot act to all the players and fined 15 of them.

While Bellamy was involved in a bust-up with John Arne Riise, the incident was apparently far less serious than presented by the Sunday newspapers.

Claims have been made that the striker repeatedly swung a golf club at the 26-year-old Norwegian's legs. However, Riise is fit and likely to start today's Champions League match with Barcelona.

Bellamy is also likely to start, while the other players fined by Benitez will at least be in the squad.

The pair clashed after Riise apparently refused to join a karaoke session last Thursday.

When they returned to the team's hotel, a brawl started with Bellamy attacking Riise with a golf club.

The squad, including Riise and Bellamy, were back in training on Monday at Melwood, after the five-day break.

Depending on which British newspaper one reads, Bellamy could be heading out of Anfield or will remain once he promises to be on his best behaviour.

The Sun, for example, claims that the striker is on his way out and Liverpool have already started looking for his replacement.

Benitez has identified Juventus striker David Trezeguet as the ideal substitute.

Said the manager: 'It's true, we are following many players in Italy, and Trezeguet is one of them.'

He also has his eye on Juventus' Valeri Bojinov, Udinese's Vincenzo Iaquinta and Palermo's Amauri.

Where does that leave Bellamy?

Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers are keen to hand him a lifeline, reported Soccernet.

Villa's manager Martin O'Neill is ready to make an £8 million (S$24 million) offer.

He took Bellamy on loan for Celtic two years ago, after the player's fall-out with then-Newcastle boss Graeme Souness.

Bellamy went on to score nine goals in 15 games during his spell at Parkhead.

Blackburn's manager Mark Hughes is also keen to lure his countryman back to the club he left to join Liverpool.

Bellamy also has a supporter in Sunderland's manager, Roy Keane.