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Zenden set for centre stage

Jul 11 2006

By David Prentice, Liverpool Echo

 

Bolo Zenden in action

RAFAEL BENITEZ is ready to put Liverpool's forgotten man back at the centre of attention next season.

Dutch winger Boudewijn Zenden has not featured in a Reds team since injuring knee ligaments in a Champions League clash with Real Betis last November.

But he is now fit again and raring to go - and boss Benitez believes he could prove a ready-made replacement for the departing Dietmar Hamann.

"He is training again now and I was really happy with him at the end of last season," explained the Reds coach.

"He was injured, but he was always in the dressing room and he was always encouraging his team-mates and supporting them.

"This year he has started pre-season training really well. I am thinking about using him sometimes as a central midfielder because he has experience at Middlesbrough in this position.

"He also has quality, and with his experience and his game intelligence he can give us more things.

"I think he was happier in this position, and with us losing Hamann, we will have Momo Sissoko, Stevie Gerrard and Xabi Alonso for that position - and maybe Bolo, too."

Hamann has turned down a move to Bolton and now looks set to join Manchester City before the end of the week.

"It's a big disappointment because this is the second time that we have failed to get Hamann," said Bolton boss Sam Allardyce. "But it seems that he is going to City so that's it. Idon't knowwhy hehas changed his mind. Hamann could have done a good job for us."

Zenden featured regularly at the start of last season following his free transfer from Middlesbrough, making 17 appearances and celebrating his first two Anfield goals against West Ham and Portsmouth, before suffering a serious knee injury.

Injured Reds striker Djibril Cisse, meanwhile, is finally expected to join Marseille on a season-long loan tomorrow.

Marseille will have an option to make the move permanent at the end of the loan deal.

 

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