Left Midfield/Striker
14 Goals
91 appearances (as of the end of 2008-2009)
Signed from Ajax in 2007 for 11.5 mil
BACKGROUND BEFORE LFC
Ryan Babel signed up for Liverpool after several years of being one of the world’s more promising youngsters with Ajax. In the 2004-2005 season, Babel scored 8 goals in 24 games for Ajax in his first full season. He was even more successful on the international stage with Holland, becoming a regular for the side and becoming the youngest goalscorer for them in over 50 years. The success led to his inclusion in the 2006 World Cup squad and then as the player of the tournament in the 2007 UEFA U-21, which was one by Babel’s Holland. It was clear that Babel needed to move on to a bigger European club, and that club just happened to be Liverpool, despite interest from all over Europe.
SIGNING FOR, AND SETTLING INTO, LFC
There wasn’t much of a fuss about Ryan Babel’s transfer to Liverpool. A few days of gossip, perhaps, but nothing like Torres, Kuyt, Keane, or countless others that have signed on after lengthy media sagas. Babel’s impact was not immediate, but 10 goals in his first season was a decent return for him. Unfortunately, this wouldn’t progress, as he was actually more effective in the middle of the season rather than towards the end.
STYLE OF PLAY
Pace and trickery are Babel’s best assets. Athletically, the kid has everything. He is a fairly big guy, with a lankiness that is quite similar to Thierry Henry. What he lacks that Henry had, though, is the ability to bamboozle the defender. Babel is a bit predictable, but when he IS confident enough to give it a go, it often works. Babel likes to hug the touchline, but then cut inside. This can be incredibly effective, as he has a rocket of a shot with his right boot and has a real eye for goal. It isn’t too often that Babel’s shots are wildly off target. Typically, he can find the net. It’s just getting there and providing quality crosses that he needs to work on. In other words… “inconsistent.”
BEST MOMENTS
Babel’s backheel flick against Besiktas in an 8-0 thumping is the most “picture book” of his moments, but his best moment in a Liverpool shirt was his winner against Manchester United in the 77th minute in front of the Kop in a 2-1 victory in 2008-2009. He may have scuffed it a bit, but what counts in the end is that it went in!
TOUGH TIMES
Ryan Babel had a lot of “bench time” in 2008-2009, and has often been played away from his favored position as a central striker. Benitez prefers to play him on the left, which has been a source of frustration for the Dutch international player. Babel has taken it well, though, and has rarely sulked. He has gone out and tried to prove that he belongs on the pitch, but he’ll really need to work on his tactics to get there. In his career, at the time of writing (at the end of 2008-2009), Ryan has started 42 matches and has been a sub in 49 matches. To say he’d rather start is obvious, but like I said… he has some stuff to improve.
2008-2009 SEASON VERDICT
Babel’s 2008-2009 was up and down, but mainly down to be fair. He wasn’t horrible, but he wasn’t as USEFUL as we would have liked him to be. Fortunately, he tended to turn up in important moments. His winner against United is the obvious one, but he played outstanding stuff in our 4-0 win over Real Madrid, supplied the cross to Kuyt that qualified us for the Champions League, and scored a header against PSV Eindhoven right before halftime that leveled the scores at 1-1 in a match we’d go on to win 3-1 in Holland. Babel’s reputation as a “super sub” is probably something he’ll want to shake, but as supporters we really did like seeing him out there, sub or otherwise.
LFC CAREER VERDICT
To be honest, Ryan Babel has not reached the potential we all thought he would. There were signs in 2007-2008 that he would become one of our outstanding performers, but his progress has been slow. It is clear that he has improved defensively and tactically, but his confidence to take people on towards the outside needs to develop. It isn’t too late to throw in the towel on the kid, though, and 2009-2010 could become a real critical time for him… especially if we don’t sign another striker to partner Torres! Overall, if he doesn’t improve this season, it could be “see you later” time for Mr. Babel.
