Reds ready for Games

Kenny Dalglish: Liverpool's manager would not stop his players from going to the Olympics

Kenny Dalglish's only gripe with Team GB would be if Liverpool players are selected for the Olympics and then do not play at London 2012.

Seven men from Anfield have been selected in Stuart Pearce's initial 80-man squad for the Games, including captain Steven Gerrard, Charlie Adam, Craig Bellamy, Andy Carroll, Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing and Martin Kelly.

Adam's season has been ended by a knee injury and the Olympics will come too early for the Scot, but Dalglish would not have a problem with any of his other players featuring this summer, unless they were then unused members of the squad.

Sir Alex Ferguson is less than impressed that some of his Manchester United stars could feature, because it could lead to burnout and impact upon pre-season training at club level ahead of the next campaign.

"If the players are picked and playing in the Olympics, they are still getting pre-season. The only problem would be if they never played."
Kenny Dalglish Quotes of the week

But Liverpool boss Dalglish said: "If they're called up, they're called up. They meet up on 8th July and that's a bit earlier than they would be back in training, but not much.

"We have an early start with the Europa League and will be starting training a few days after the Olympic squad meets up, so there's not much difference.

No time off

"It just means they will be doing their pre-season away from Liverpool, won't they? They won't be getting time off.

"So, if they are going to represent Great Britain in the Olympics, they are going to go.

"If the players are picked and playing in the Olympics, they are still getting pre-season. The only problem would be if they never played."

Dalglish is pleased players will not be considered for the Olympics and Euro 2012, while he has yet to hear from Uruguay, who are in the same group as Great Britain, regarding the possible selection of Luis Suarez.

The Scot said: "I don't know how it works, but I do know that if they get into the European Championship squad, they don't go.

"In the squad of 80 they must be including some of those people who could be going to the European Championship, but might miss out through injury or something.

"I don't know whether Luis Suarez or any of our other foreign lads will be involved. I haven't heard from any other country except England."