Klass for Ryan? I’d snap your hand off

Prolific Dutch striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar has been linked with a possible transfer to Liverpool. Reports suggest that though Liverpool may not have the funds available to buy Huntelaar, they may look at alternatives to snare the man they call the ‘Hunter’. These include a loan or an offer of Ryan Babel as part exchange in any transfer.

To bring in Huntelaar surely would be a good move for Liverpool. Huntelaar is a proven goalscorer, having experience at the highest level for Ajax, Real Madrid and AC Milan. He is a centre forward who is adept on both feet and scores often with his head. If you need reassurances about his goal scoring ability simply check out his record, 186 goals from 290 appearances in club football. There’s no doubting he knows how to do his job, the only question remains whether he can do it at the highest level.

The transfer of Huntelaar would echo Joe Cole’s arrival. Huntelaar is a player who’s found it hard at AC Milan, and will want regular game time at a big club. Fitness concerns over Fernando Torres limited his starts at Anfield last season, and it would be wise to rest and rotate Fernando for his own, and Liverpool’s, best interests this year. Huntelaar should get plenty of games and would thrive with the talent, and new found team spirit (we hope!) within the squad. Like Cole, a regular run of games would build confidence and benefit the player.

Even if the transfer of Babel goes ahead, it is still in Liverpool’s favour, as Ryan has habitually disappointed. The occasional flash of talent and run of games in the first team have resulted in very few positives. If the fans feel this frustration with him, and it was clear Rafa did too, then surely his team mates must feel it as well. It may be a good time for the benefit of the squad to end his Liverpool career despite his undoubted promise.

After all where would he fit into Roy’s plans? It is presumed that Roy will favour a 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 formation. This is due to his time at Fulham where he taught “width in attack, and depth in defence”. Ryan Babel’s place in a midfield 4 would be questionable. The continued tactic of playing Babel on the left despite his right foot, should finish as he provides little width from there, and he doesn’t show a willingness to deliver a good cross even when playing from the right. His touch is too poor, and he doesn’t show the same work ethic as Dirk Kuyt. He is unlikely to play in midfield and so would likely be played upfront.

However Babel doesn’t use his skills enough to warrant a starting position upfront. His pace is an asset, but he doesn’t use his strength as he should, nor does he seem to have built any understanding with Torres. Huntelaar however could play with Torres, allowing Fernando to play from wide positions, but also fill his position higher up the pitch, whenever Torres was rested. He would be an excellent foil for Cole or Gerrard in the hole. Huntelaar should link well with other players and provide balance. He knows how to finish and should be motivated to prove it in the Premier League. There will be doubters who will point to the records of Alfonso Alves and Mateja Kezman who also bagged for fun in the Dutch League, however Huntelaar is a class above these players. With Huntelaar available for around £12-14m and Babel worth roughly £8-9mil, this transfer, like Joe Cole’s is worth a punt.

The prospect of greater time on the pitch, the ability to link with quality players, and join in a new project at Liverpool surely must motivate a player who left Ajax looking for greater glory. Come on Roy, bring a bit of Klaas to Anfield in 2011.

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