Liverpool infighting puts plans in disarray

Soccer:Liverpool's preparations for Wednesday's Champions League game at Barcelona have been overshadowed by drunken misbehaviour on the Algarve.

Craig Bellamy is facing a heavy fine and an uncertain future after a night out allegedly concluded with the forward using a golf club to attack his team-mate John Arne Riise.

Riise, who seemingly sustained bruises to his legs, was able to train alongside Bellamy yesterday and may receive a lesser punishment. He could well be joined on the Anfield roll of shame by Jermaine Pennant, Jerzy Dudek and Robbie Fowler, who all face club sanctions after police intervention was required to quell that trio's alcohol-fuelled antics.

Rafael Benitez's squad flew to Portugal eight days ago for a training camp before the game at Camp Nou. After five days of training Benitez allowed his players to let their hair down on Thursday night at the Vale do Lobo resort, where they were staying, and is understood to be dismayed that a handful abused his trust.

An internal club investigation is under way but no conclusions are anticipated until the squad's return from Barcelona.

"I met this morning with the entire first-team squad and made it absolutely clear to all of them the responsibilities that come with playing for this club and the way they are expected to conduct themselves both on and off the pitch," said Benitez, who may well decide to cut his losses on Bellamy and sell the combustible Welshman this summer.

"The players worked extremely hard at last week's training camp," added the Liverpool manager. "But we will take disciplinary action and fine any of them who are found to have breached club rules during our stay in Portugal. I've told the players this and they understand and accept the decision I have taken. Despite reports to the contrary, the spirit among the lads is very good with everyone looking forward to the Barcelona game."

The dispute involving Bellamy and Riise seemingly started with a karaoke competition in the early hours of Friday morning, when Bellamy took offence at the Norwegian left-back's refusal to sing. Increasingly irritated by the Welshman's jibes, Riise reportedly became incandescent and, surrounded by fellow players, the pair squared up to each other, trading expletives. Although things calmed down as the group dispersed and headed for their rooms, Bellamy apparently felt he had lost face in front of his team-mates and, having armed himself with a golf club, tracked down Riise before allegedly swinging it at his legs.

Benitez, who had spent the earlier part of the evening at the nearby resort of Vilamoura, was contacted and he separated the clearly inebriated pair.

The evening had begun quietly enough with the players enjoying a group meal but, according to a source, things turned distinctly "lively" as the post-dinner drinks flowed. Eventually security police stepped in to calm Pennant, Fowler and Dudek, with the latter apparently particularly boisterous. Nevertheless newspaper reports that a policeman was head-butted and extensive damage caused are claimed to be "well wide of the mark and wildly exaggerated".

It is possible that Benitez - who cannot be delighted at having to explain his players' behaviour to the clubs' new owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks - will continue to field the miscreants, Bellamy included. However, once the transfer window opens they may well find themselves moved on.

Benitez is planning for next season and yesterday Liverpool announced that Andriy Voronin, the Ukraine striker, will be joining the club from Bayer Leverkusen.

Voronin (27), who has scored six goals in 20 Bundesliga appearances this season, has agreed a four-year contract at Anfield.

• Guardian Service