Olympic legend Bolt to undergo Anfield trial
by Tony Ducker
Liverpool have taken the first steps towards securing what would arguably be the most sensational piece of player recruitment in the club’s glittering and dramatic history.
Legendary Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, the dual world record holder at 100m and 200m, will arrive next week for a trial at the club’s Melwood training ground after receiving a personal invitation from Anfield boss Rafa Benítez. Bolt can be signed at any time due to being a free agent, and is said to have jumped at the opportunity to prove his worth to the Merseyside giants – despite being a fan of deadly rivals Manchester United.
Eyebrows will doubtless be raised at what may be seen by some as a desperate move by the Spaniard, but equally it could prove to be a masterstroke. With Liverpool light in attack, due mainly to the recently-returned Fernando Torres’ prolonged injury problems and the hasty sale of Irish flop Robbie Keane, the towering, imposing physical presence of Bolt and his searing pace – the sort of pace never seen before in the game of Association Football – would cause Premier League defences major headaches.
Bolt is a centre-forward who has only ever played amateur football. Benítez believes he can work with and coach any player with the basic tools and Caribbean sources claim Bolt is a striker of some ability. One respected Jamaican coach, Duane Labull, believes Bolt can become the most feared centre-forward in the world.
“We all know his pace is truly electrifying – he is the fastest man in the history of world no less, let alone the fastest footballer. But Usain can strike a ball. He is a good finisher, as strong as you’d expect with a build like his, very good in the air and his control and first touch is pretty good too. He needs to work a little bit on his movement but a coach of Benítez’s standing and repute will be able to improve him in this area. Also working alongside somebody like Fernando Torres will help him hugely.”
Benítez was not available for comment yesterday but the club’s official spokesman, Ian Cotton, confirmed “Usain Bolt will undergo a week-long trial with us.”
by Tony Ducker
Liverpool have taken the first steps towards securing what would arguably be the most sensational piece of player recruitment in the club’s glittering and dramatic history.
Legendary Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, the dual world record holder at 100m and 200m, will arrive next week for a trial at the club’s Melwood training ground after receiving a personal invitation from Anfield boss Rafa Benítez. Bolt can be signed at any time due to being a free agent, and is said to have jumped at the opportunity to prove his worth to the Merseyside giants – despite being a fan of deadly rivals Manchester United.
Eyebrows will doubtless be raised at what may be seen by some as a desperate move by the Spaniard, but equally it could prove to be a masterstroke. With Liverpool light in attack, due mainly to the recently-returned Fernando Torres’ prolonged injury problems and the hasty sale of Irish flop Robbie Keane, the towering, imposing physical presence of Bolt and his searing pace – the sort of pace never seen before in the game of Association Football – would cause Premier League defences major headaches.
Bolt is a centre-forward who has only ever played amateur football. Benítez believes he can work with and coach any player with the basic tools and Caribbean sources claim Bolt is a striker of some ability. One respected Jamaican coach, Duane Labull, believes Bolt can become the most feared centre-forward in the world.
“We all know his pace is truly electrifying – he is the fastest man in the history of world no less, let alone the fastest footballer. But Usain can strike a ball. He is a good finisher, as strong as you’d expect with a build like his, very good in the air and his control and first touch is pretty good too. He needs to work a little bit on his movement but a coach of Benítez’s standing and repute will be able to improve him in this area. Also working alongside somebody like Fernando Torres will help him hugely.”
Benítez was not available for comment yesterday but the club’s official spokesman, Ian Cotton, confirmed “Usain Bolt will undergo a week-long trial with us.”
Good one for the day 
I was just trying to play along with it 
(and e-mailed Shaggy to say as much). It's been spoiled already though 
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