During the 2007 under-21 European Championships, Ryan Babel was simply sensational. He was easily the player of the tournament. He was blessed with skills and pace in abundance. His first touch was exquisite and he possessed a first class finish. He had the confidence of a Usain Bolt and could do no wrong. He was one of the most sought after player of that championship. Then Benitez stepped in and splashed out £11.5 million to land the youngster. Well let’s say Ryan Babel has not been the same since. Benitez forced him to change his game in order to support his system of play. Babel was forced to operate as a winger and with Benitez’s rotation policy; it meant that Ryan would never get the playing time needed to properly develop the way in which a young footballer should. This ultimately, not only destroyed the player’s confidence but also his effectiveness.
Babel has now moved from being the next Thierry Henry to almost being one of the biggest flops to grace the Kop. Babel reiterated his commitment to Liverpool football club and asserted that he relishes the opportunity to play for the club. Babel is adamant that he wants to prove to the Liverpool FC supporters that he can indeed play football and ultimately contribute to the success of the club. Now after proving that he can play and he can in-fact contribute, what then? Will he want to stay or will he leave like Alonso did? Whatever the answer we have Rafa Benitez to thank. He has not only changed the way Ryan Babel plays football, he has changed the way Liverpool football club plays football. There is no doubt that Benitez stifled Ryan Babel’s Liverpool FC career. Now let’s hope that Roy Hodgson gives him the chance to prove himself. I say give him consecutive runs in the side and let him do the rest. Who knows he may still very well be the next Thierry Henry.
Let’s not forget that Henry, in his first season at Juventus (1998-99), was not at all impressive and he was later sold. A move to premier league outfit, Arsenal revived his career and lets just say the rest is history. This time around may very well be the rejuvenation of Ryan Babel as an out and out striker (his favoured position).
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He was always a class player and now if his natural talent ( and that is prodigious ) is coached he will prevail. This las has a gift that could well be a blessing to LFC and Torres in particular.
Watch him!
i totally support his stay at the club because he has a good football brain…
His talent is only surpassed by his laziness. Here’s to hoping
I think Ryan’s problem is not lack of talent, it’s his personality. To me he seems to be rather lazy and sometimes when he loses the ball he gives an impression somewhere between ‘how could someone take it away from be’ and ‘someone else will get it back’.
Anyway, what position would you play him. His scoring record in Holland, where even Dirk Kuyt scored plenty, does not suggest that he is a striker.
He clearly is a striker that needs to play off another striker, primarily playing in the hole.I think what will happen is either him or Ngog will be sold and the other will be given a chance under Roy. I say this because I think Roy will still want to bring in an established striker and have one of these guys competing with Torres and (hopefully) Pacheco.
I thoroughly agree.
Roy should give him a guaranteed run in the team, tell him not to try being a genius every time he touches the ball and re-build his confidence. It’s obvious he is one of these players who needs a bit of TLC rather than the Rafa cold shoulder treatment. He is a diamond waiting to be polished.
very overrated i say sell him now before his value plummets when hodgson cant get the best out of him
It’s quite ironic that when looks at Ryan’s record at Ajax his goal ratio has not altered that much. In 73 league appearances he scored 14 goals and at Liverpool he has scored 11 goals in 82 appearances.
main striker…
Babel is indeed a very good player. And yes no thanks to RB it affected him. Anywa I hope RH will “let him loose” during the upcoming campaign and bring out the best in him
I think Benitez still gave him enough chances he is not a quality finisher and shows very little heart.
What crap blaming Rafa for Ryan failing to deliver. He’s a professional making mega bucks and should begin to play like one!
he has not fulfilled his promise…..wtevr benitez did he gave dis las a chance to prove himself nd he did’nt..its only fair that we sell him for funds to buy a quality..(i mean when i say) quality midfielder..
He’s a good player, fast and skillful but to be honest I don’t see how he fits in with our style of play. When he operates as a left winger, he doesn’t deliver, when he plays up front, all he does is run and gets nothing out of it. Maybe if Roy is to get the best out of him then use him as a second striker. Other than that, I can’t see where he’ll play.
promising, eleven million pounds he cost, he has an inflated opinion of his talent, he’s a one trick pony, no football brain, no heart, or as lawrenson said he has a heart the size of a pea.
can roy change him ? its possible, can he come good ? again its possible, lose the big head find a big heart and come down to earth. come on roy you can do it.