Rafael Benitez has mixed feelings over the speedy recovery from injury of Ryan Babel because it has enabled the winger to compete at the Olympics.
The Holland international has worked hard throughout the summer to overcome an ankle injury that ruled him out of Euro 2008 at the last moment.
Babel limped out of training with the Dutch squad on May 31, 24 hours before Holland's last warm-up friendly against Wales in Rotterdam.
At the time it looked doubtful that he would be back before the start of the new season.
But less than six weeks since the injury, Babel has returned to full training with Liverpool at Melwood.
And that means the Dutch will be able to immediately name him in their squad for the Beijing Olympics.
Benitez has already lost Lucas to the Brazil squad and Javier Mascherano as an over-age player with Argentina, who are also likely to call up Emiliano Insua.
Clubs are unable to stop under-23s from travelling to China, while Mascherano will go because he has expressed a desire to play for his country in the tournament.
And Benitez now cannot stop Babel's inclusion in Holland's squad to be confirmed shortly.
Benitez told liverpoolfc.tv: "Obviously, we are really pleased that Ryan is coming back to training because he is an important player for us and he has worked hard to recover from the injury he suffered with Holland.
"But we are really worried because after getting him fit it is likely that we could lose him again if he is selected for the Olympics. This is a big problem - we prepare him and then he goes away with the national team.
"This season is very important for him. In his first season he was settling in but this time he has more experience and we are looking for him to give something from the beginning, so it is really important for him to start working with his team."
If Babel had not worked so hard to overcome his injury, and had been a couple of weeks longer in his recovery, he would not have been in line for selection for the Dutch side.
Along with the other Liverpool players involved in the Olympics, Babel will miss both legs of the Champions League third qualifying-round tie early next month and the opening Premier League games with Sunderland and Middlesbrough.
And Benitez will be left fretting that he does not break down again and damage his barely-fit ankle.
Benitez said: "This has been a strange pre-season, because we have to wait for players to return late following the Euro finals and then at the end of the preperation we are going to lose players to the Olympics."
Benitez is expecting to complete the signing of Brazilian goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri for £3million after the Palmeiras player successfully passed a medical this week. He will be the club's third summer signing, following full-backs Philipp Degen and Andrea Dossena.
Cavalieri's agent, Juninho Parmigiani, has told Brazilian media: "We will conclude everything soon. He has already had the necessary medical examinations, talked with some of his new team-mates and has been impressed by what Rafael Benitez had to say to him."
Liverpool are expecting to recoup some of the fee by selling French keeper Charles Itandje to Galatasaray for £2million. They will also now sell Scott Carson, with Stoke showing interest.
Peter Crouch has agreed terms with Portsmouth on his £11million move to Fratton Park, and the deal will be concluded when medical reports are cleared.
Liverpool will then try to finalise the move of Gareth Barry to the club, hopefully in time to figure in Saturday's opening friendly at Tranmere.
Villa are believed to have said they will accept £17million plus Irish full-back Steve Finnan, who they value at £1million. They also want the fee paid in two instalments, half now and the rest in 12 months.
The two sides now seem close enough for the summer-long saga to be concluded by the weekend.
Benitez, who has already spoken of his appreciation of Crouch's contribution to the club, has now claimed the striker's progress on Merseyside has vindicated his £7million purchase from Southampton three years ago.
Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv: "I am proud of the progress he has made. When we brought him here people were talking about the deal, especially because he did not score for several games.
"But he showed his quality, showed he was a good player and a fantastic professional. We know we will miss him but you cannot stop a player who wants to play every week."
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Comment 1 - 8 of 8
Martin O'Neal..."Don't you think he's looking tired"
Funny how an article titled "Benitez frustration over Babel trip" soon comes full loop to a discussion on Barry again. Barry has been a solid player for the Villa and at 27 is entering the prime of his career. The right time one of the "big four" to come in. MON sees this and why the heck should he let his hard work get sold on the cheap??? Harry4man, Lampard is now 30. It's all down hill for him now, and he only has one year left. That is why he's not worth more than 8 mil. Plus based on new rules, he could buy out his contract and Chelsea would be screwed, so if Lamps wants to leave there is little Chelsea can do other than offer him the quite outrageous 5 year deal that he wants. And back to Barry, Liverpool should cough up. Simple as that. Rafa is making Juve cough up. He made Portsmouth cough up. And he's trying to make others cough up for Carson. MON is doing nothing different other than his player is a key player in the Villa squad. Rafa is charging sky high prices for bit-part players. And back to the article...why does Rafa buy one good player and then 3 or 4 so-so players. Doesn't he do this everyone season? Is it really a title winning formula? I can't help but think of those teams that buy lots of African players and then end up moaning and looking all shocked when half their team ends up going to the African Nations. Managers should be prepared for these things and they shouldn't use them as excsuses for their own shortshightedness.
i agree with most of that, but bentley is not what we need, he is over rated. We need somebody like Babel to play on the right, Kuyt isnt quite right. WALCOTT for liverpool.
Gunna miss Crouchino (AKA Supercrouch). And I REALLY hope Holland don't injure Babel, he's the new John Barnes, I'm telling thee. Finnan has been an awesome soldier for Pool but, like Riise its time for a fresh look down the flanks. I think Rafa's pulled off great business at left and right back. Agger will be back. Carson will net maybe 8mill. And then there's Barry, he looks good with Stevie pulling the strings, covering each other, its the Liverpool way. Barry can play left back, can deliver a ball left footed as well as his midfield leader attributes, and if Alonso stays we really do have the best midfield in the world. However I think he will go to Juve to join Momo. And Bentley will arrive. If only we could get Villa too! Then the enw signings make sense, Rafa style - the best of Aurellio and Arbeloa and Agger and Torres is to come.
malcom you abbreviate way too much mate. Seems a silly valuation to me when you see Lampard gettin bid for 8million by inter. Barry's probs worth about 10 to 12 in my opinion but if 18 is what it takes i reckon we need to cough it up because he will definitely help the team do better in the league. I know it will take up a large proportion of Rafa's budget and fans are after a quality winger or striker still. However i dont think we need a winger, liverpool are incredibly strong through the middle and we should always attack using it, forget the flanks without crouch. If were gonna make one more 1st team transfer it should be after Barry, Dossena, Degen and Diego i think we should go for Walcott or if possible David Villa. Two great players who can play as strikers or wider men who come into the middle well. Nobody has questioned walcott for liverpool before now and i think he would be perfect for us. Doesnt get too mnay games at arsenal so would want to come to liverpool aswell.
Let him go Rafa.He's not much use anyway.
17 million plus Finnan is an outrageous fee - I'd keep Finnan and buy David Bentley instead. Barry is overrated.
why is it people think that MON should let GB go for the price lfc want to pay,the price was set over 8 weeks ago,so if the scousers cant afford it so be it, not AVFC,s problem. As for GB if LFC do decide they cant afford him, then he will have to sit on the bench for a few games, no proplem, and wait until january comes round. i have a lot of respect for GB, i understand why LFC would be attractive to him, but the fact is and always has been,he is a avfc player and will be for another two years unless LFC hand over 9.000000 mil now and 9.000000 mil at the end of the season.stand strong MON, DEADLY DOUG WOULD.( HE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE ASKED FOR 40 MIL).
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