Dutch international Ryan Babel was unveiled on July 13th 2007 in a move worth £11.5m from Ajax. He was assigned squad number 19 and made his Premier League debut as a sub at Aston Villa on the opening day of the 07/08 season.
Babel came to Liverpool after being monitored at Ajax for the previous 2 seasons and at the U-21 European Championships
Babel has been used primarily as a left winger during his time at Liverpool but can also be employed as striker or on the opposite wing, known for his speed, skill and powerful shooting, al of which were on display when he bagged his first goal in a red shirt during a 6-0 romp against Derby County on the 1st of September. Babel continued to impress as the season progressed with typically stunning goals against Marseille, Chelsea and two against Beskitas JK in the Champions League one being a cheeky back-heel against a hapless Beskitas goalkeeper during Liverpools record-breaking 8-0 demolition of the Turkish side.
After being slowly blooded into the side Babel became a more prominent figure in the Liverpool line-up as the season progressed and was gaining more recognition in England and in Europe so much so he gained a call-up to the Dutch national side for Euro 2008m only for injury to cruelly rule him out of the finals. Despite that Babel enjoyed and impressive first season with 49 appearances and 10 goals, much is expected of Babel during the 2008/9 season and is being hotly tipped for this season to be his breakout season when he can show the Premiership what he is truly capable of on a regular basis.
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