After three-and-a-half years on Merseyside, Ryan Babel has finally decided to part ways with Liverpool and join Bundesliga outfit TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on a two-and-a-half year deal, keeping the Dutchman in Germany until the summer of 2013.
In what seems to be a dreamland ago, Babel signed on for the Reds with high hopes of carving his name into the old Kop record books alongside some of the true Liverpool greats, after an inspirational performance in The Netherlands‘ U-21 championships, winning the Man of the Match award and scoring in their 4-1 victory over Serbia in the final.
A Dutch Super Cup winner with Ajax in the 2006-07 season, Babel was playing some compelling football in the Dutch capital. With Arsenal and Newcastle both peeping their noses in on the 21-year-old at the time, the youngster signed a new 3 year contract with the club in February – making it clear that he was there to stay.
However, as we all learnt, this was not the case.
Babel joined Liverpool on a five year contract for a reported £11.5 million, was handed the number 19 shirt and presented to the Kop alongside Yossi Benayoun. The Dutchman went on to make 146 appearances and scored 22 goals for the Reds, although only appeared 65 times in the starting XI.
There was no doubt that Babel was the next best thing, someone Liverpool concede to be what they consider Dani Pacheco or Chris Mavinga as today – an eventual star for the club, who will turn into a combination of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres within a season or two of top-flight football. People began comparing Babel to the next Thierry Henry when he arrived, but as we eventually found out, it simply was not meant to be.
The old case of Ryan Babel seems to have reopened more often than actual transfer windows themselves, representing possibly one of the most troubled and controversial stays at Anfield of all time. Not only did Babel’s prolonged time on the bench ever cease, but it never gave supporters the chance to actually see what he was really made of. In the past he has been criticised for his lack of commitment, not displaying any real desire to get properly stuck in or chase down balls, yet on other occasions he has been praised for exactly the opposite.
The Dutchman has received his fair share of criticism during his stay on Merseyside, but it essential to point out the importance of his entire campaign with Liverpool. Babel needed enough first team playing time, debatably a season or two, to establish himself as a regular player. There were definitely hints of his grounded talent during his stay at Anfield, demonstrated by a variation of slick goals, such as Liverpool’s sixth goal in their 8-0 drubbing of Besiktas, and absolute belters when the time really mattered – Babel’s scorcher put the Reds one-nil up in a vital must-win game against Lyon in the Champions League. Liverpool drew 1-1 thanks to an extra-time equaliser from Lisandro, but it was the fact that Ryan Babel was a player who, when in the right mindset, could turn the game around and take the entire weight of the situation onto his shoulders and produce something spectacular.
Most definitely the frustrating for Liverpool fans to see is players such as Lucas Leiva play regularly. The Brazilian has been lounging around for far too long at Anfield, and represents the core problem of what’s going on behind the scenes on Merseyside. When Rafa signed the youngster from Gremio, he claimed that he was “looking forward to seeing him score goals for Liverpool in the future”, but so far he has only scored one Premier League goal in close to a hundred appearances for the club.
Is Lucas Leiva a match-winner? A leader? Someone who can influence others and push them to perform? No.
Could Ryan Babel have become a fiery regular for the Reds? Could he have helped Fernando Torres in Liverpool’s most recent times? Most definitely.
It all depends how you interpret the situation. Obviously, I am not the one on Melwood training ground every day watching Babel train, but some of his performances have demonstrated (*cough* Aston Villa game in December *cough*) that he was indeed good enough to perform regularly amongst England’s elite. He went from being an exciting prospect for the club, to Babel the eventual impact-sub, or even Babel the key exchange player in a transfer deal – not that Luis Suarez jumps to mind or anything.
However, it must be said that Babel’s antics off the pitch hardly pleaded his case for consistent first team football, making unnecessary comments on Twitter for being dropped against Stoke. We all know from the past that Rafael Benitez does not accept criticism for his decisions, as we have seen with the likes of Albert Riera (remember that lad who signed from Espanol in 2008) – who told the public about Benitez’s failure to ever discuss issues with players face-to-face. He didn’t last much longer, and joined Olympiacos for around £4 million in the summer of 2010.
Babel’s situation was very similar. Despite being docked two weeks wages of £120,000, it was becoming desperately obvious the ex-Ajax man was growing tired of his role at the club, that of the ‘wasted talent’. It is almost a shame to see someone who has/had Ryan’s potential leave the club.
It all seems as if Babel’s career revolved around misfortune, or possibly not given the chance a player of his calibre quite deserves, or maybe he was just in the hands of the wrong people who prioritised others over a player who was dubbed too good for the reserves yet not quite good enough for the first team at Liverpool.
Potentially a great winger/striker for the club, but remember that he is only 24 years of age and a few good seasons could see him back up with Europe’s elite within a couple of years.
The article was written by Matt Woodward for FootballFancast.com. Make sure to check out the latest news, blogs and podcasts at FFC – ed.
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While Ryan Babel may one day again play in the Prem I doubt it will be with a club that wants to compete at the business end of the table. He seems to have an attitude problem, inflated ego and lacks consistency and a football brain. At least that is my impression. Lucas on the other hand has more in his locker than we’ve seen so far and has been getting better and better. He never moaned about being played out of position, unlike Babel. As the saying goes, there is no ‘I’ in team, unless you are Ryan Babel. In a way he is made of the same stuff as one Jermaine Pennant. Talent is there, but believes so much in his own greatness that he thinks he doesn’t have to use or show it on a regular basis.
where did Babel display the attitude that he put himself ahead of the team? Arriving as a highly rated youngster to then spend four years sitting on the bench without insulting the club (asking for a loan or the opportunity to get on the pitch is not an insult), or showing any kind of attitude like what we switfly saw from Keane & Cole during their time on bench duty, doesn’t strike me as somebody that was selfish…
Babel when played out wide lost control of the ball every time when carrying at pace and was not agile enough to beat players with a trick. He also doesn’t have enough of a footballing brain to become world class and when played up front is constantly off side. To become a half decent player he needed to develop his brain and game and still does in a weaker league i.e. the Erdvisise. I doubt he will be a hit in Germany, he has his moments but they are sporadic and not calcualted. end of.
Although he may have the raw talent of a Theirry Henry he obviously doesn’t have the same mental strength, I’ve always wanted him to have a better chance in the first team…………..but the only thing I do know is that 3 managers of very different styles haven’t fancied him when working with him day in day out!
im as frustrated as most the way he failed at liverpool, but being a manager is all about getting the best out of the players you have, kenny getting much more than roy as example,
it would shock most fans to know that babel scored 13 in his 1st season, he played more that year than any other, then from the second season he played less, why i ask? he came off the bench against west ham in 1 game, and on the right for AA kuyt! made a quality run, crossed and torres scored the winner! why he never got the chances ill never know! i mean 25 / 30 games in a row per season but when he turns into a world class player somewhere else we’ll hear the moaners then.
Babel flattered to deceive. Sometimes like against Villa he looked fantastic. Other times like Tottenham away first game of 09/10 season, (when he started up front) he was bone idle, disinterested and selfish in his play. That day he got subbed at half time, after prob the worst 45 mins I have seen from any LFC player in my 30yrs of watching the Reds.
People go on about not having chances…..well starting the season in the first 11 up front is I think the perfect chance. Fact is, he wasted it.
As for Lucas, your opinion is harsh; The lad is still only 23 and will get even better; yes he will never be a world beater but he gives 100% and has improved immensely over the last 3 years.
Lucas is 23, has been a regular starter in our team for two years now and now looks like somebody worthy of being a squad member for a good team. Babel is 24 and has been a reserve player for two years…
He’s had far more consecutive, disappointing starting performances (both individually and as a team) than Babel could’ve ever wished for. It is illogical to develop the less talented players, and give the players with the potential to win matches short shrift
(Btw, worst 45 mins from any LFC in 30 years?? Have you been watching the team this season at all??)
ONE league start all season says it all – btw, the ever consistent performers keeping him out of the team led the team to midtable and below so it’s not like Babel was being held back to avoid disrupting a smoothly performing team.
In fact, ignoring the single league game that Babel started this year, Kuyt, Maxi and N’gog have managed to contribute four goals from open play in more than 40 starts!? These guys might be consistent, but unfortunately they consistently offer nothing to the team…
I can understand your frustration Jay, I feel the same way to a degree, but at the end of the day potential is not enough. He always had and still has immense potential, but he just cannot put consistency into it, and personally I believe it’s his attitude to blame. He’s not serious enough about succeeding! He’s too immature, too interested in his music and playstation etc. If he had the attitude of someone like Cristiano Ronaldo, he could be just as good as him if not better – I am absolutely certain of it. Maybe he will come right, he’s still young, I really hope he does, but we couldn’t wait around hoping for that to happen and if we did he’d probably end up leaving on a bosman..
I think your comments on Lucas are harsh. I imagine Rafa’s view was for him to play in a more attacking role, alongside maybe Mascherano as the holding midfielder (a bit liek Mereiles now). However he has grown more into a Mascherano type player, as in a holding/defensive midfielder. No oen ever had a pop at Masch’s scoring record, so the same is for Lucas’.
As for Babel, he was never given the proper run. When he did have a good game, he more often than not, found himself out the team the next time. However, he flattered to deceive more than performed when he was given the chance. I’d prefer a player of less skill, but more consistency and potency, in the team (i guess Kuyt springs to mind!)
Agree with everything you said Steve + um can you imagine Babel playing DM or Lucas on the wing? Can’t compare apples with oranges…