Liverpool FC Forum

by **Toffeehater** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 10:51 am

Ryan Babel admits he is getting frustrated with life at Liverpool. The Dutch forward has been restricted to bit-part roles this term and has largely made his impact from the substitutes bench. Babel sprung from the sidelines to score the winner as Liverpool beat Manchester United earlier in the season and also came from the bench to change the game as Liverpool overcame Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-final last season.

But a cameo role, or a place on the wing, is not what Babel wants.

He told The Guardian: "I'm satisfied with my level of performance but the situation is clear - that I'm not going to be one of the regular 11 starters.

"It's difficult. I do get frustrated. I can tell myself that I'm still only 21 and at the start of my career.

"But it is making it hard for me because, as time goes on, they keep telling me that I'm young and that my time will come. Well, OK, but I'm not a player who wants to wait. I want to be involved now rather than in three or four years' time."

With Robbie Keane and Fernando Torres the preferred strikers at Anfield, boss Rafa Benitez has deployed Babel on the wing, but the 21-year-old prefers to go through the middle.

He added: "I have always said that I want to play as a striker.

"Of course, it would not help me improve if I wasn't able to play, or train, in another position a couple of times. But all the time?

"I used to play as a striker in Holland. I grew up as a striker. That's the position I want to play.

http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football...t_Anfield.aspx

Can't say i blame him , should be playing upfront because that where i think he's suited best , give it a try against fulham next week

by **andy_g** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 10:55 am

1st - babel says he gets frustrated about not playing as a striker
2nd - the journo leads the article with 'babel is frustrated with life at liverpool'
3rd - the topic starter says babel is unhappy at liverpool
4th - someone will say that babel can't wait to leave

by **tonyeh** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 10:59 am

Babel's wasted at Liverpool. I can't blame the lad for being p"ssed off. I wouldn't mind seeing him play up front, with somebody else, to see if he can pony up the goods. He's no winger, that's for sure and he'd probably say that himself.

I can't see him lasting too much longer at Liverpool.

by **Owzat** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 11:16 am

He's not the only one being played out of position, in the last few games he's played on the wing, Carragher at RB and Kuyt is often camped out on the wing. Babel is lucky to get as much time on the pitch as he does

by **babu** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 11:18 am

andy_g wrote:1st - babel says he gets frustrated about not playing as a striker
2nd - the journo leads the article with 'babel is frustrated with life at liverpool'
3rd - the topic starter says babel is unhappy at liverpool
4th - someone will say that babel can't wait to leave

too subtle andy.

by **Toffeehater** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 11:27 am

Owzat wrote:He's not the only one being played out of position, in the last few games he's played on the wing, Carragher at RB and Kuyt is often camped out on the wing. Babel is lucky to get as much time on the pitch as he does

Carragher at right back was due to the fact that arbeloa was suspended and degen was out

by **Bam** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 11:27 am

I wouldnt say Babels "wasted" at Liverpool, I'd say Liverpool wasted money on Babel....

Well maybe there is an element of truth in both statements.

I understand where he is coming from, bought as a striker and played out of position. I dont know why Benitez has persisted with this. Even before the arrival of Keane Babel hardly got a look in upfront and I'm sure Rafa said he brought him as a striker.

But in saying that though he has lacked consistency, he is one trick pony, he looks more like an Olympic athlete than a footballer and he doesnt show the work rate that his teamates do.

by **Toffeehater** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 11:28 am

andy_g wrote:1st - babel says he gets frustrated about not playing as a striker
2nd - the journo leads the article with 'babel is frustrated with life at liverpool'
3rd - the topic starter says babel is unhappy at liverpool
4th - someone will say that babel can't wait to leave

by **Toffeehater** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 11:30 am

He hasn't really had a chance to play upfront much , stick him upfront for about 5 games or so and that we might see if we wasted money on him or not . He's got terrific pace and can use that to beat his man can dribble at times just needs to work on his first touch and shot accuracy and he'd be ok

by **Bam** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 11:38 am

Toffeehater wrote:He hasn't really had a chance to play upfront much , stick him upfront for about 5 games or so and that we might see if we wasted money on him or not . He's got terrific pace and can use that to beat his man can dribble at times just needs to work on his first touch and shot accuracy and he'd be ok

If we dont win 2 of those 5 games though Rafa will get stick for changing it around.

I'd bring him on as a sub maybe and play him upfront if we're coasting, maybe it will also give Keane something else to think about.

by **tubby** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 11:40 am

Lets all pray we can still get back most of what we paid for him. Luckily he has scored some goals for us since hes been here but he is a complete waste of money.

by **Toffeehater** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 11:51 am

bavlondon wrote:Lets all pray we can still get back most of what we paid for him. Luckily he has scored some goals for us since hes been here but he is a complete waste of money.

, he hasn't done too bad for his first season you know mate . All he needs is some consistency to his game and he will be fine and yes bam thats a good idea but i think he should start against fulham with torres or keane and if he's not performing take him off . If he was at arsenal , i think he'd be twice the player he is now , because he would be getting regular games and wenger would get the best out of him , and he'd deffo be playing upfront instead of that donkey adebayor

by **Reg** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 11:53 am

If he went in for 50-50 balls and generally looked more interested and hungry, folks would have more sympathy.

He´s a squad player whether he likes it or not.

by **tonyeh** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 12:24 pm

Toffeehater wrote:
bavlondon wrote:Lets all pray we can still get back most of what we paid for him. Luckily he has scored some goals for us since hes been here but he is a complete waste of money.

, he hasn't done too bad for his first season you know mate . All he needs is some consistency to his game and he will be fine and yes bam thats a good idea but i think he should start against fulham with torres or keane and if he's not performing take him off . If he was at arsenal , i think he'd be twice the player he is now , because he would be getting regular games and wenger would get the best out of him , and he'd deffo be playing upfront instead of that donkey adebayor

Mmmmmmm.....I'd do it the other way round Toff. If we're a goal or two up, then bring him on and see what he does.

by **tonyeh** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 12:27 pm

Reg wrote:If he went in for 50-50 balls and generally looked more interested and hungry, folks would have more sympathy.

He´s a squad player whether he likes it or not.

But he's a centre forward, not a mdfielder and shouldn't be called upon to make many tackles. As a striker/CF, you usually have the ball played to you.

The bottom line is that he's being played out of position and more importantly in a position he's unquestionably not suited to.

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