Promised Liverpool so much, but ultimately delivered so little?
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 (watch here), 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 (watch here). 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.
Pages: 1 2
Football News 24/7
Ryan Babel was a potential star but was never nurtured by RAFA.He should have been played in a central srikers position and given enough game time.Liverpool has also had no consistent system like Arsernal where new players can be eased in and trained to play as a team.Lastly until the arrival of King Kenny man management which is so important indeveloping young players was totally lacking.
Reply
Chunky Reply:
January 26th, 2011 at 3:56 pm
He simply never put in any effort but liked to swan around on the field and concentrate on his outside activities.It seems his only interest in football is the money it provides for him to do other things. had he worked he would have got there…
Reply