Tonight:
5°c
Ryan Babel's quit threat adds to Rafa Benitez's troubles
24 Nov 2009Liverpool winger Ryan Babel plans winter talks with Rafael Benitez - and is vowing to leave unless he plays more games.
The Holland international is unhappy with the limited number of matches he has started with the Anfield club since his Ģ11.5million 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 tonight'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."
Live on Sky Sports 2, 7.45pm
Reader views (4)
I have difficulties believing that Ryan gave an interview to that rag. Liverpool players donīt do that. Ergo, this is BS. So is most of what the media publish about Liverpool.
- Ferryman, Portugal, 25/11/2009 00:13
Report abuse
With a lunatic like rafa giving over 90 minutes of hand signals to his players during every game its hard to blame Babel for wanting to leave. A couple of senior players at Liverpool have already said they wish he would stop with the sign language, most of them ignore him and for those who try to decipher them it only confuses them even more than they already are. Babel looked a fantastic young player before he arrived at Liverpool.
- James Hennessy, Manchester England, 24/11/2009 16:31
Report abuse
I think Liverpool have hindered the development of Babel. If he had signed for Arsene Wenger instead, Im certain things would have been very different. I would love to see him at Arsenal.
- Rob Gooner, North London, 24/11/2009 12:34
Report abuse
Get lost,stop whinging every time you are given a chance in a starting line up you dont do the shirt justice,look at the hobbling you did after a crunch tackle against Man city,we used to have players who would play with a broken collar bone(Byrne) maybe people dont remember that but you just have not got the heart to wear our shirt,go and find another team.I really used to think the manager had not given you a chance but enough is enough get shut Rafa...
- William, Australia, 24/11/2009 09:40
Report abuse
