Craig Bellamy has revealed he turned down a chance to play in the Europa League with Tottenham for a return to Liverpool.
Welsh striker eyes an attacking Reds revolution under King Kenny
Craig Bellamy has revealed he turned down a chance to play in the Europa League with Tottenham in favour of a return to Liverpool.
The 32-year-old signed for the Reds on the last day of the August transfer window having negotiated a severance deal with Manchester City.
Harry Redknapp, who is long-time admirer of the Welshman, made a late offer to sign Bellamy for Spurs.
QPR and Stoke had also sounded him out about returning to play in the top-flight after his season-long sojourn with his hometown club Cardiff in the Championship.
Opportunity
Yet as the former Newcastle forward reveals, the chance to play again for a resurgent Liverpool was too enticing a carrot to dismiss.
Bellamy told the club's
official website: "On the deadline day, I woke up, my phone went, my agent was on his way to see me - I was in a hotel with Wales [national team] - and he said, 'We have two offers - there's Liverpool and there's Tottenham. What do you want to do?'
"I like Tottenham; I like the team a lot. I feel the way they play and pass the ball would suit me a treat - but this was a chance to go to Liverpool.
"I don't believe you should return, go back to your old clubs, but this is Liverpool and I could never walk away from this opportunity."
Free-flowing
Under previous managers, although the Reds achieved sporadic success, the attacking football that became synonymous with them during their halcyon days appeared to have deserted club.
However, as an avid football student, Bellamy could see that under Kenny Dalglish, the Merseyside giants were returning to their old attacking principles.
He added: "This felt right. This was everything I wanted. I would never sound negative towards Rafa (Benitez) or Gerard Houllier because they have done so much for the club and were outstanding, but this is what I grew up with.
"I watched Liverpool towards the end of last season and the way they were playing, and it was what I grew up supporting - the passing and moving, the free-flowing football. It felt like it was back.
"Now watching Liverpool feels like it is Liverpool again - and the opportunity to be a part of that was just too big of a deal to turn down."
