Babel: Not happy at Anfield
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Babel may leave Anfield in January
Liverpool winger Ryan Babel has vowed to "fight" for a first-team place - but will look to leave in January if he does not get more starts.
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The Holland international is unhappy with the limited number of matches he has started under Rafael Benitez since his £11.5million move from Ajax in the summer of 2007.
Babel explained: "I have tried to talk to the manager but it isn't of any use. I couldn't really do anything with the feedback Benitez gave me.
"We have agreed to look at my situation in the winter. If there's no improvement then, I have to be honest, I want to be somewhere else.
"I don't play a lot so I can't be happy and I can't cheer out loud. Sometimes I wonder how long I can sustain it but I will fight for my position - what else can I do?"
Babel scored an impressive long-range goal for Liverpool in their last Champions League match, the 1-1 draw at Lyon.
However, on the eve of Tuesday night's must-win match against Debrecen he spoke of his frustration at failing to make more of an impact with the club.
He continued in The Sun: "Isn't it unbelievable that in my first year I got chosen as Talent of the Year? And a season later I hardly play and without getting a proper chance."
Babel, who represented Holland in Beijing last summer, added: "I don't know if it has anything to do with my little trip to the Olympics. I know the manager wanted me to stay."
However, he does not think Benitez has a grudge against him.
Babel explained: "I really don't believe he is trying to get back at me. Every time me or my agent (Willie Haatrecht) have a chat with him he stresses I can't leave and he believes in me. We have to trust he is telling the truth. Saying it is different to showing it."
Babel has confidence in his own ability and still believes he can make the right impression in a Liverpool shirt.
He added: "I have shown I can do it plenty of times. I know I could be further in my career but if nobody helps you, if they don't make it easier for you, then it is difficult."
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Your Comments
we_miss_fowler (Liverpool fan)
"I can sympathise with Babel and Rafa. Babel hasn't had the guidance he needs, gets so little time on the pitch and is so desperate to impress it's hampering his performances.
But Rafa can't give an extended run of starts to a player who loses the ball almost every time he receives it because he isn't a mature enough footballer.
It's just a really bad dynamic."
ChristianG (Liverpool fan)
"Now that we're in the Europa League we should bring back Nemeth and blood him in this competition. ."
AnotherLFCFan (Liverpool fan)
"Wow, after seeing the comments on here Redknapp is right, i dont know how but Benitez some jedi mind tricks up his sleeve or somethin, The fact that Babbel has played so little. mostly off the bench, and Rafa Backers say "he's been given chances" is crazy... Lucas has been given chances.... and his been given chances everyweek and he has shown less potential and fulfilment of that potential then Babel. Its wake up time. I hope... for Babel's career sake, He leaves in January. Garaunteed if he gets a run of 5-10 games like Lucas has... he would more then show his potential. "
the truth (Manchester City fan)
"Babel no chin and also no bottle, there was nothing wrong with him on Saturday, he just does not have the bottle for the english game maybe Celtic or Rangers will buy him"
lfctorres (Liverpool fan)
"Ryan I hope for your footballing career that you either change team or that Rafa leaves Liverpool. He's screwed your footballing career and Liverpool FC."
kujo12 (Liverpool fan)
"another waste of talent thanks to rafas system...."
femgem (Liverpool fan)
"Well said Liverbird. I'm on the few who believes that rafa has badly managed babel. such a great talent but not enough chances given. To everyone who thinks babel has had chances just look at lucas(who i believe has improved) and compare them to babel. He has been at our greatest club for three yrs and ngog 1 and look who has been given more chances. Same case with bent at tottenham not enough time, lacking goals.....sunderland more time and is one of Pl in form players. I'll leave you to do the thinking and see the FACTS!!!!!"
underwood (Liverpool fan)
"great news,,,let him go,,,my grandad is better than him"
threadonaspool (Liverpool fan)
"One more thing... I think it shows alot about the man when Stevie Gee had to go over and pick him up of the pitch. I dont think Gerrard even believed that he was injured. GET OUT BABEL"
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