Ryan Babel: Liverpool’s Untapped Talent?

Thomas Nuttall-Jones

Ryan Babel is, even at a young age, a man who has experienced his fair share of disappointments. By the time he had been taken on by Ajax’s fabled academy at age 11, it was at the fourth time of asking, having been rejected by the club three times previously. Another huge blow came in the past year when torn ankle ligaments kept him out of what would have been his first real shot at a major tournament at the Euros, a World Cup cameo in Germany aside.

It is little surprise then that Babel has so far seemed relatively unfazed by being unable to bed down a place in the Liverpool first team. Following his signing for £11.5M in the summer of 2007, both him and his manager Rafael Benitez were quoted as admitting that it would take time for the player to adapt to the physicality and stamina demanded by the Premier League. However, in light of the player’s Liverpool career from that point to this, his rumoured request to be loaned back to Ajax, and the state of play at Anfield this season, can Babel be expected to fulfil his potential with the Reds, elsewhere, or at all?

Babel’s Liverpool move came in the summer of 2007 after three and a half seasons with his home club in Amsterdam. Along with him, at the tender age of 20, had come the most glittering of endorsements from the most esteemed of sources: Marco van Basten, his national coach for a number of years since Babel became the Netherlands’ fourth youngest ever scorer on his debut, aged just 18.

The Dutch master had claimed that his young protégé "has all the potential to become the next Thierry Henry", and not many would say that his Liverpool career so far has done little to confirm or dispel that prediction. However despite some doubts, patchy form, and a generous helping of substitute appearances, Babel has remained at the forefront of some of Liverpool’s most memorable moments since his signing.

This has come in part from the young Dutchman’s knack of appearing in a starring role in some of Liverpool’s most dominant performances of the past two seasons. His first goal for the Reds was the pick of the bunch in a 6-0 demolition of Derby in 2007, and arguably remains his best goal to date, leaving two defenders tackling nothing but empty space before wowing the Kop with an emphatic finish. The record Champions League 8-0 defeat of Besiktas was also graced by two Ryan Babel goals, his cheeky back-heel punctuating the whole performance, not to mention echoing a certain Frenchman he has been tipped to emulate. Glimpses of an excellent understanding with his teammates has also shone out, not least in Liverpool’s last two visits to St James Park, where Newcastle also fell foul of goals from Babel.

Of course, critics of Babel, although still rare, would point out it is fairly easy to play well for a big team when they are going through the motions of crushing lesser opposition. But it is perhaps in the biggest games of all that the most notable highlights of Babel’s time in England have come. In April 2008, Babel came on and played his part in rescuing Liverpool’s fortunes in what would prove to be the game of the season in the Champions League semi-final.

Having seen Emmanuel Adebayor score what looked to be a tie-clinching late goal, Babel, coming in from the left as has been the case so often since his move to Anfield, jinked through the Arsenal defence and proved too tricky, winning the penalty that would change the game, and then pushed past a fatigued Cesc Fabregas to score the goal that would secure it. He also scored in a late cameo in the semi-final against Chelsea, although it was a goal that was too little too late as Liverpool tumbled out.

What may yet prove to be an even more crucial moment in the young man’s career, and in the fortunes of his club, came this season. Having replaced new-boy Albert Riera late in the clash against rivals Manchester United, fellow Dutchman Dirk Kuyt set up Babel for a winner that claimed Rafael Benitez’s first league win against their North West rivals and earned the adoration of the Anfield faithful.

Despite this seemingly glowing, and growing, CV, Ryan Babel is not totally having it his own way at Anfield. All of these important moments stand out as having one thing in common, the use of the player as a substitute. It is clear that his manager still holds the same reservations over the player’s ability to handle the unique physical nature of English football, and rates Babel more as an impact player, used late in a game against tired legs. Although this has doubtlessly proved effective on occasion, there have been times this season where there hasn’t been enough time granted for any impact to be made whatsoever. It is no doubt the main reason behind Babel’s reported desire to return to his home town.

Fans opinions this season have been split on Babel. Some rue his apparent lack of heart and battle. However it seems harsh to castigate such a player on this area of his game, as players with such attacking talent tend to avoid this type of scrutiny. Besides, you only have to look at his celebration for scoring what was a less than ordinary goal at Newcastle this season to see how much it meant to him. Obviously Ryan Babel has the desire to play as much as he can, so at this stage the question must be asked: is a talented player being wasted?

It is a question that will almost certainly be answered before the end of this season. With Robbie Keane’s departure, Liverpool are short in the very position Babel is keen to prove is his best. Having spent all the time at Ajax and with Holland playing as a striker it must be both bemusing and frustrating for the player to have been used mainly as a left winger since arriving on Merseyside. After all, surely it was his performances in his favoured role, not least the man-of-the match in 2007’s European under-21 Championship final, that caught Liverpool’s eye in the first place?

Babel has great confidence in his ability to lead the line and this can be seen in his surprising frankness in echoing the sentiments of his national manager: "Henry is an idol for me," said Babel. "Benitez knows I like to play upfront, though, and hopefully one day he will give me the chance to play there and for me to focus on my favourite position.

"I’m trying to do the same as Henry by moving from winger to play inside. I try to improve my game so hopefully one day I’ll be the same or maybe even better than the level Henry reached.

"I hope to give the manager another choice upfront and even after training I spend half an hour practising something extra such as my finishing or control to reach that level."

These hopes will no doubt be felt by Babel now stronger than ever. He, like everyone else, will know that if his chance is to come, there is never a better time than now.