Craig Bellamy
Bellamy thinks the Liverpool squad are looking good. REUTERS

Steve Clarke believes that Craig Bellamy has brought a fantastic contribution to the Liverpool squad so far this season, with the summer signing helping the side push for a Champions League place.

Bellamy was something of a shock re-signing for the Reds, after he left Manchester City on a free transfer at the beginning of the summer period.

And while Liverpool have had their hiccups as they aim to get back into the top four once more, Clarke believes that Bellamy's influence over the side has helped them reclaim hope in reaching their goals and bringing back the glory days of the 1980s.

"Craig has done great for us," Clarke told the official Liverpool website. "He is in a really good moment and his contribution is there for everyone to see.

"We are all really pleased for him, and to be fair we knew what we were getting when we brought him back to this club.

"I worked with Craig for a short time at West Ham, Kevin Keen worked with him before, and we knew the type of player we would be getting.

"We felt he could make a big contribution to the squad and that's what he has done and continues to do which is great.

"We have got some big games coming up this month and that's what everybody is involved in football for. We are looking forward to the challenge and hopefully we can get some positive results."

Liverpool are currently sixth in the Premier League table, but are just once game behind fourth placed Chelsea. The side face Manchester City away on Wednesday night in the League Cup, and will need Bellamy's experience to stand up to his old club and stake their claim on the top four.

Another member of the Liverpool squad who will need to fire up will be Andy Carroll, who has continued to miss all-important shots for the side, despite coming close on many occasions.

The England international, who has been warned by Fabio Capello to shape up or else he may miss out on inclusion in the squad for the 2012 Euros, is yet to prove his £35 million fee was worth it for Liverpool since joining the club on deadline day last January.

But Dalglish has insisted he will keep faith in Carroll, who has particular pressure on his shoulders in the coming months while Luis Suarez serves his eight match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra.