Watch 60 minutes with Bellamy
Craig Bellamy has lifted the lid on how he secured his dream return to Liverpool in the summer – and admitted the chance to come back to Anfield and play for Kenny Dalglish was one he could not turn down.
In a candid and revealing interview with LFC TV, the Wales striker explains how the King's influence played a major role in making the transfer happen - and if you're an LFC TV Online subscriber then you can watch the entire 60 minutes before anyone else right now.
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Alternatively, 60 Minutes with Craig Bellamy will be broadcast on LFC TV for the first time on Saturday night at 8pm.
Bellamy left Manchester City to put pen to paper on a two-year deal with the Reds on August's transfer deadline day.
Despite interest from several Barclays Premier League clubs, it had appeared as though the 32-year-old would sign a permanent deal with Cardiff City - until Liverpool's interest materialised.
"There was interest from one or two other clubs, but I was trying to be straightforward with Cardiff," Bellamy explained.
"With no disrespect to your QPRs and your Stokes, who I do like a lot, I would go to Cardiff before them. But if there was a big club, or a chance of playing in the Champions League or for a club fighting for the Champions League, I had to look at that opportunity and take it really seriously.
"It all went on from there really. Come the last day, I'd resolved an issue with Man City which allowed me to go on a free.
"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 - 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."
Bellamy had previously left Liverpool in the summer of 2007 having spent just a solitary season at the club.
The No.39 admits he is relishing the opportunity to play his part in Dalglish's attack-minded set-up.
He continued: "This felt right. This was everything I wanted. I would never sound negative towards Rafa (Benitez) or Gerard Houllier because they 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."
Though Bellamy required little persuading to re-join Liverpool, there is one incident that left the deal in no doubt whatsoever.
He explains: "My agent has to do what he feels is best for me as well. He has to give me the options and lay them out on the table for me to make my choice. That's what he is doing his job for. He's been my agent for 12 years and he's a really good man.
"He was doing his job and then Kenny rang him up and gave him an almighty mouthful about me coming here and him spoiling it. I knew straight away, Kenny really wanted me here and was desperate for me to come here.
"It just showed his desire and straight away I was like, 'Get the Liverpool deal done!'"
Bellamy added: "It was a great feeling. Even walking through the doors was completely different to when I was first here.
"It was just relaxed - Kenny has that approach on people. He doesn't treat me differently because I'm a player or who I am as a personality, he treats everyone exactly the same. It doesn't matter if you're a player, a cook, or part of the media department.
"We are all treated the same and part of the club. This club is going one way and we're all just as important as each other. He has that gift, which is a little bit special."
60 Minutes with Craig Bellamy will be shown on LFC TV on Saturday night at 8pm
LFC TV is available for FREE on SKY channel 434 and Virgin channel 544 (as part of the XL pack)