Ryan Babel

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

What to do, what to do?

He has the potiential, the physical attributes, and the technical ability (aside from his left foot) to succeed at this level, but he just isn't cutting it.

It's not like he is getting played way out of position or into an unfavored position. From what I can remember, he has played as the top striker, the support striker, and on both wings. Aside from the PSV match he hasn't been that good this season. Yes, he did score against United, but if we are going to base an entire season off of one goal that is pretty poor judgment.

His situation is also different than Lucas'. He seems like he has really lost the plot out there. He keeps saying he wants to fight for his spot, but then he goes out there and mails in his performance. If he is going to talk the talk, he better walk the walk. He has just been very disappointing.

As a player, you know you have been not good when a young, unknown U-20 French striker is being whispered as Torres' backup, rather than a regular Dutch international.

The question is what does Rafa and the club do from here?

Do we keep him, hoping he matures more and learns from the veteran players. How long do we wait for him to develop?

Do we loan him out for a year.

Do we sell him, and try to get our money back. £11.5 million is what we paid for him. We certainly won't get that money from anyone in the Dutch league. Our only hope to sell him is if someone in La Liga or Serie A rate him high enough to pay for him.

I personally think we sell him. He hasn't shown me enough against quality opposition that he can cut it. If we want someone to play on the left that will constantly cut in, then Rafa should play Benayoun. Yossi has been infinitely better than Babel recently, and he seemingly has worked harder and has a better attitude. Babel has been pain to deal with, and I think it's time that he goes.

Right now, I wonder if we can exactly trust Babel to be a capable back-up for Riera.

It's just a bad situation that is exacerabated by Babel's poor form, poor attitude, and his want to leave Anfield in the January transfer window.

Thoughts?

[usscouse]

I've never hid the fact that I don't feel that Babel is Liverpool material. He did show a bit to be excited about when he first hit the scene. He had speed and cutting back to his right foot showed a nice shot.

But!

He seems to have regressed. Take yesterday when he came on for Nando, I thought he'd give the Real defense a bit of a run but he became 'the invisible man'. I forgot he was on the pitch. IMHO He's not getting any better.

I think we need players and any money we get from him would be better spent on aquiring "Someone Who Can Put the F*****g in the F*****g net.

[TheLaughingMan]

I think we should loan him: "Ryan, it's Rafa. Listen mate, your potential is amazing, but you're just not putting in the effort. If you don't up your commitment level and work ethic, we're loaning you. What's that? You're excited? Well lad, I know you want to go back to Ajax. But I was thinking more along the lines of Inverness. Don't worry, you'll love playing in Caledonian Stadium. And I hear there's a growing rap scene up there as well. You'll fit right in."

[el-capitano]

I can't remember what his contract status is like. If he's still got some time left, I'd loan him out for a year to a weaker club who will play him every game, to seee if he can improve on what he's showing u s now- then sell him.

If he's only got a year or so left- sell him now! ;)

[Grinners89]

My opinion is that we shouldnt sell Babel.

Firstly, our squad isnt deep enough to get rid of young players with great potential and secondly, he has the potential to be a world class player, he just needs to get a few things right.

I actually think he has made a few improvements this season. He recently came out in a LFC.tv interview and said that he had a talk with Rafa, who explained to him exactly what he needed to work on in training and he was going to work hard to do exactly what Rafa said. I think he has matured, and even looks a more mature person/player than Robbie Keane.

Id keep him, persist with him, and make sure that he continues to work hard in training and he will improve. Its just a matter of being patient.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

Can we at least try playing him on the right?

His best performances have come on the right side this season.

[USvsIRELAND]

He needs to improve his first touch.

Playing time needs to get larger.

I havent seen Ngog play that much, but if Ngog is any good, then Babel can go.

[poopoobigelow]

loan him out to a lower half epl team next season, see if he improves with some pt... i'm not ready to give up on him, yet...

[Vasu]

I think we should sell him and a buy a quality striker. Someone like Lukas Podolski (too bad he's already decided on Koln). Right now, with Torres as the only striker, and no proper back-up, everytime he gets a knock, we have to resort to Kuyt or N'Gog...I don't like that.

[Grinners89]

I think we should sell him and a buy a quality striker. Someone like Lukas Podolski (too bad he's already decided on Koln). Right now, with Torres as the only striker, and no proper back-up, everytime he gets a knock, we have to resort to Kuyt or N'Gog...I don't like that.

Lol...Podolski's not much better than Babel. He's got less potential, he's more lazy, has worse defensive skills and is more inconsistent than many players around Europe.

Just another overrated forward.

[revelationx]

There is still plenty of football left this season and Ryan will play his part. Torres missing this weekend's game and Keane's departure will mean more playing time for Babel. Riera misses the visit of Real Madrid so Babel will probably play then. It is premature to write off Babel for this season.

[kingb71]

I'd like to see what Babel can do as a proper center forward.
He's useless on the left wing as he doesn't have enough moves to get past anybody.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

I'd like to see what Babel can do as a proper center forward.
He's useless on the left wing as he doesn't have enough moves to get past anybody.

Our attack looks so toothless when he is the striker in the 4-2-3-1.

IMO, we look more likely to score when Kuyt or Ngog spearheads our attack.

[kingb71]

what if he's playing a 4-4-2 with a supporting striker?
What did he play before he came to us? Striker?

[Grinners89]

what if he's playing a 4-4-2 with a supporting striker?
What did he play before he came to us? Striker?

He usually played as a left-sided wing-forward or as a roaming support striker. He rarely played as a CF, up top on his own.

[drobny23]

Babel just needs more time under the lamp before he's warm enough to eat. He must learn that he does not have to put his head down and speed dribble past a defender on each touch. He has a touch of tunnel vision and has to learn to get his head up and eyes around him to see the field and see the play -- not just on the ball, but especially off the ball. He has to learn to trust his team. And he has to stop dribbling into trouble and getting dispossessed. We don't need him to be the focal point of the attack.

[AndSomeAreAngels]

Our attack looks so toothless when he is the striker in the 4-2-3-1.

IMO, we look more likely to score when Kuyt or Ngog spearheads our attack.

He has a touch of tunnel vision and has to learn to get his head up and eyes around him to see the field and see the play -- not just on the ball, but especially off the ball. He has to learn to trust his team. And he has to stop dribbling into trouble and getting dispossessed. We don't need him to be the focal point of the attack.

Agree with both posts completely. Babel seems to get the ball on the left side just outside the box, fakes to his left, then goes to his right, looking down the entire time, then loses the ball.

He has been unbelievably infuriating to watch. N'Gog, while he hasn't shown too much, looks a lot better than Babel at the moment. At least he's got a good touch.

[AussieLFCfan]

Sell him!

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

He's so good on FIFA, Pro Evo, and FM!

;)

[iCEMANGSCCC]

Sell him, buy Ribery. :-P