Rafael Benitez believes playing for Liverpool will tame Wales striker Craig Bellamy.

The Anfield chief is well aware of Bellamy's reputation for off-field trouble. But Benitez believes that the fact that Cardiff-born Bellamy has achieved a boyhood dream of joining the club he has supported all his life will concentrate his mind on achieving his football goals at Liverpool.

"You could see he was a Liverpool fan and you could see he was desperate to play for us. I think this desire can be the difference between the Bellamy that we knew in the past and the Bellamy that maybe we will see in the future."