Bellamy signed for the Reds for a second time on transfer deadline day, leaving Manchester City to return to Anfield five years after he was first brought there by Rafael Benitez. That original stint on Merseyside lasted only 12 months, with off-field issues - most notably an infamous incident involving a golf club and team-mate John Arne Riise, and a strained relationship with Benitez - contributing to his departure to West Ham. Dalglish's decision to bring in the 32-year-old came as a surprise to some, but so far Bellamy has scored in each of his two starts for Liverpool this season and his manager has nothing but praise for the forward's attitude. "Craig has been brilliant," Dalglish told www.liverpoolfc.tv. "He just loves playing football and wants to play all the time. He will make a contribution for us. He's fantastic to have around. "Craig is a really good professional and doesn't like losing. He's not too bad when he has got the ball, either. "He is more mature and better educated now. You have to be fair to everyone but he is happy to be around the place and play his part. "He would certainly be much happier if he was playing more but he understands the situation maybe more than when he was younger. "He knows everyone respects him here and that is a big thing for him. We give everyone the respect they deserve." Bellamy's goals came in the Carling Cup third-round victory at Brighton last month and the 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw with Norwich on Saturday, and he will be hoping to keep his place for tomorrow's fourth-round trip to Stoke. Dalglish is expected to make some changes to his first XI, and among those who could come into the team is Jay Spearing, whose chances have been limited this term. Prior to Bellamy's arrival, several other players were recruited by Liverpool over the summer - including midfielders Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam - and it has led to a frustrating time for Spearing, spent primarily on the bench. The 22-year-old is determined to demonstrate his worth, though, and views the contest against the Potters as the ideal opportunity to show he can handle a physical assignment. "It has been a mixed season for me so far," Spearing said. "With the new players that have come in I haven't had as many chances as I would have liked, but at the end of the day it's down to me to keep working hard every day in training and show the manager I deserve a chance when the time comes. "I have to look at the positive side of things. The boss has put me on the bench for every Premier League game so far and I have played in the Carling Cup games, so I can't complain about that. "I've got to do everything I can in training to show the boss I am ready if he needs me to play against Stoke. "If I do get the chance to play it will be a massive game for me. "They have a lot of six-foot-plus lads in their team and it's a chance for me to show that I can be put up against anyone, of stature and size, whoever, and do a good job for the team."
