Mr Enigma – Ryan Babel

By Brian Irvine On · 114 Comments · In Opinion

Liverpool’s failure to land Carlton Cole on transfer deadline day may prove to be a lucky escape for the Merseyside club, possibly paving the way for the hugely talented but much maligned Ryan Babel a final crack at Anfield superstardom.

Babel signed from Ajax in 2007 on the back of a successful Under 21 Euros win with the Netherlands (including a goal in the final).

He showed signs of being a real talent with an abundance of promise coupled with all the necessary skill required to produce in the Premiership; pace, skill, trickery and an eye for goal.

His potential was highlighted when he bagged 10 goals in his debut season of The Reds and picked up the LFC Young Player of the Year award in the progress.

The following season promised a lot; manager Rafael Benitez reassuring Babel that he would feature predominantly as a striker, his preferred position but sadly promises were broken and Babel made the majority of this appearance on the left of midfield, weighing in with a disappointing four goals for the season.

Again the following season Babel was assured of more time as a centre forward but again failed to materialise, this time bettering his previous season’s best with six goals but not eclipsing his debut season’s.

Liverpool’s lack of quality back-up for Torres and the failed transfer of West Ham‘s Cole has given Babel the opportunity to show the Anfield faithful that he is more than capable of cutting it among the league’s top strikers.

Sure it will take a few games for him to adapt back to his preferred role having played on the left for the best part of three years but Liverpool overlooking him as a striker is verging on stupidity. Especially given the current financial situation, the club are finding themselves chasing mediocre players (no disrespect to Carlton Cole) when they have the guts of a perfect Premiership striker already in the squad.

Apr. 11, 2010 - 05752920 date 11 04 2010 Copyright imago BPI Ryan Babel of Liverpool and Danny Murphy of Fulham PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUKxFRAxNEDxESPxSWExPOLxCHNxJPN men Football England Premier League 2009 2010 Action shot Vdig 2010 horizontal premiumd Football.

Should Roy Hodgson give Babel an extended run up front the club should be able to reap the rewards as he is almost certain to shine once he becomes suited to the role again. His cool strike against Trabzonspor demonstrates his quality in front of goal, be it against poor opposition yet he showed great composure to finish.

He may not be able to lead the line as well as Fernando Torres but he could provide great foil for the Spanish hitman, as two powerful, pacey centre forwards could terrorise the Premiership should they strike up a partnership. In an online poll, a massive 90.41% backed Babel to stay at Liverpool and make an impact, stating the fans’ desire to see him succeed in a Liverpool shirt.

This of course creates a selection dilemma for Hodgson of how to fit all the best players into the team and may warrant a change of formation. Still it is important; at the very least give Babel an extended run as a striker and give him a chance to prove himself before selling him and watching him perform in the role at another club, leaving the club kicking themselves over what could have been.

  • About the author

    Brian Irvine

    Brian is an qualified journalist and LFC fan from Northern Ireland and a regular in the TIA forums. As well as writing for TIA, Brian also produces the video content for the site. You can also follow Brian on Twitter - @btirvine

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  • Damon

    It depends on schema. If we’re playing 4-2-3-1 with Torres fit – i’m not sure he will get much games. He can’t lead the line – he likes to attack from the deep. In the center we’ve Cole and RJ assured that is position for him. So i think we will rotate our scheme from 4-2-3-1 in PL to 4-4-2 in Europe. But i don’t see forward Torres and Babel forward line balanced too much.

  • Damon

    It depends on schema. If we’re playing 4-2-3-1 with Torres fit – i’m not sure he will get much games. He can’t lead the line – he likes to attack from the deep. In the center we’ve Cole and RJ assured that is position for him. So i think we will rotate our scheme from 4-2-3-1 in PL to 4-4-2 in Europe. But i don’t see forward Torres and Babel forward line balanced too much.

  • Damon

    It depends on schema. If we’re playing 4-2-3-1 with Torres fit – i’m not sure he will get much games. He can’t lead the line – he likes to attack from the deep. In the center we’ve Cole and RJ assured that is position for him. So i think we will rotate our scheme from 4-2-3-1 in PL to 4-4-2 in Europe. But i don’t see forward Torres and Babel forward line balanced too much.

  • DBTS1

    can’t be worse than Ngog

  • DBTS1

    can’t be worse than Ngog

  • DBTS1

    can’t be worse than Ngog

  • ste mc dublin

    GREAT PACE. . . . .GREAT STRIKE OF A BALL. . . .ALWAYS CUTS INSIDE WHEN DEPLOYED ON THE WING ========== STRIKER !!!!!!!!

    Torres and Babels pace would frighten any defence in the world, who would Torres prefer to play alongside, ngog or babel?? ( no disrepect to ngog, he is only young and his day will come, i think thats obvious considering his goal against arsenal) Torres, Babel, Cole, Steve G, going forward all of a sudden we would look like a positive 4-4-2 attcking team rather than a defensive 4-5-1.

    A simple solution to our attcking situation, great article, ynwa !!

  • ste mc dublin

    GREAT PACE. . . . .GREAT STRIKE OF A BALL. . . .ALWAYS CUTS INSIDE WHEN DEPLOYED ON THE WING ========== STRIKER !!!!!!!!

    Torres and Babels pace would frighten any defence in the world, who would Torres prefer to play alongside, ngog or babel?? ( no disrepect to ngog, he is only young and his day will come, i think thats obvious considering his goal against arsenal) Torres, Babel, Cole, Steve G, going forward all of a sudden we would look like a positive 4-4-2 attcking team rather than a defensive 4-5-1.

    A simple solution to our attcking situation, great article, ynwa !!

  • ste mc dublin

    GREAT PACE. . . . .GREAT STRIKE OF A BALL. . . .ALWAYS CUTS INSIDE WHEN DEPLOYED ON THE WING ========== STRIKER !!!!!!!!

    Torres and Babels pace would frighten any defence in the world, who would Torres prefer to play alongside, ngog or babel?? ( no disrepect to ngog, he is only young and his day will come, i think thats obvious considering his goal against arsenal) Torres, Babel, Cole, Steve G, going forward all of a sudden we would look like a positive 4-4-2 attcking team rather than a defensive 4-5-1.

    A simple solution to our attcking situation, great article, ynwa !!

  • trevorwilliams

    Ryan has always struck me as a useful player who perhaps needs some encouragement and coaxing. The body language between Ryan and Rafa appeared to be poor, rather like Rafa`s body language was with Yossi, Robbie Keane and eventually Peter Crouch. If Roy can galvanise a relationship with Ryan, and indeed the bulk of the squad, things might improve without having to worry about non existent transfer funds. For those of us who are old enough to remember the first great Liverpool team (St.John, Callaghan, Yeats, Thompson, Strong, etc)they will recall the success of that squad was all about team spirit and playing for each other. A succesful team does not have to be about spending £100 million plus on a squad as Manchester City are about to find out.

  • trevorwilliams

    Ryan has always struck me as a useful player who perhaps needs some encouragement and coaxing. The body language between Ryan and Rafa appeared to be poor, rather like Rafa`s body language was with Yossi, Robbie Keane and eventually Peter Crouch. If Roy can galvanise a relationship with Ryan, and indeed the bulk of the squad, things might improve without having to worry about non existent transfer funds. For those of us who are old enough to remember the first great Liverpool team (St.John, Callaghan, Yeats, Thompson, Strong, etc)they will recall the success of that squad was all about team spirit and playing for each other. A succesful team does not have to be about spending £100 million plus on a squad as Manchester City are about to find out.

  • trevorwilliams

    Ryan has always struck me as a useful player who perhaps needs some encouragement and coaxing. The body language between Ryan and Rafa appeared to be poor, rather like Rafa`s body language was with Yossi, Robbie Keane and eventually Peter Crouch. If Roy can galvanise a relationship with Ryan, and indeed the bulk of the squad, things might improve without having to worry about non existent transfer funds. For those of us who are old enough to remember the first great Liverpool team (St.John, Callaghan, Yeats, Thompson, Strong, etc)they will recall the success of that squad was all about team spirit and playing for each other. A succesful team does not have to be about spending £100 million plus on a squad as Manchester City are about to find out.

  • les

    He’s been given three seasons at Anfield and never quite produced. What more evidence do you require? The lad has pace, strength and an eye for goal but what he lacks is a football brain. Name me a player who took mre than 3 seasons to make it?

    • Deano

      his confidence must be low being left on the bench for most of the time give this lad a confidence boost & i’m sure like most people he will be on fire for the reds!

  • les

    He’s been given three seasons at Anfield and never quite produced. What more evidence do you require? The lad has pace, strength and an eye for goal but what he lacks is a football brain. Name me a player who took mre than 3 seasons to make it?

  • les

    He’s been given three seasons at Anfield and never quite produced. What more evidence do you require? The lad has pace, strength and an eye for goal but what he lacks is a football brain. Name me a player who took mre than 3 seasons to make it?

  • Michael

    JC on the right. He played on the right for Chelsea. Kuyt will probably play on the left or Jovanavic.

  • Michael

    JC on the right. He played on the right for Chelsea. Kuyt will probably play on the left or Jovanavic.

  • Michael

    JC on the right. He played on the right for Chelsea. Kuyt will probably play on the left or Jovanavic.

  • SimplePieman

    Babel is not clever enough to be a winger…. but up front he may not need to be so smart and just react. Playing on the wing is a useful experience for a striker. He will get a chance as we have no other options

  • SimplePieman

    Babel is not clever enough to be a winger…. but up front he may not need to be so smart and just react. Playing on the wing is a useful experience for a striker. He will get a chance as we have no other options

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