Striker Bellamy left Newcastle United under a cloud

Bellamy was called a "little upstart" by Newcastle coach Terry McDermott after the pair clashed following Liverpool's 2-0 win over the Magpies.

"There was always going to be something from Newcastle but it doesn't bother me. Not at all," said striker Bellamy.

"I was half expecting something because my being at Liverpool is hurting them."

He added: "This is the club I have always wanted to play for and maybe there are people who are not too happy about that.

Everywhere he has been he has been in bother and it is starting again at Liverpool Newcastle coach Terry McDermott

"I'm sure there are people there (at Newcastle) who don't want me to succeed here, because it reminds them every time.

"It was a ridiculously cheap fee I went to Blackburn for, it's not nice for me to be remembered for that.

"What was it, about �3.75m? That hurts. I know that but that is the game we play."

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez had defended Bellamy after McDermott's outburst.

McDermott said: "Everywhere he has been he has been in bother and it is starting again at Liverpool."

But Benitez responded: "Never mind Craig's history, his conduct since joining us has been perfect for me."

McDermott sparked the row when he revealed how Bellamy interrupted a conversation with referee Mark Halsey after the final whistle.

He said: "I was talking to the referee. It had nothing to do with anyone else and I take exception to little upstarts like him.

"I do not like it when people like to think they are bigger than clubs. When he was at Newcastle, he thought he was a big cheese.

Maybe there are issues with Newcastle from Craig's time there, but it was nothing serious Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez

"There was no need for it at all and he was 100 per cent out of order."

But Benitez launched a passionate defence of the Welsh international he signed from Blackburn in a �6m summer deal.

He said: "You have to analyse what he does on the pitch, and all I saw on Wednesday was a player closing down defenders in the last minute to protect our lead.

"Off the pitch, I promise you he is really focused on doing his best for us. I spoke to him about his background before he signed for us, and I could tell he sensed this might be his last opportunity at a big club.

"He wants to make the most of it and that shines through in every training session.

"Craig has a good relationship with his team-mates too. He has no problems with anyone and has settled in really well.