By Ross Mackiewicz.
Ryan Babel has admitted for the first time that he nearly ruined his Liverpool career by being affected by outside influences. The Dutch international has sincerely under achieved for the Merseysiders since joining the club in the summer of 2007 from Dutch giants Ajax for just over £11million. Babel arrived at Liverpool with high expectation following a successful European Under 21 Championship with his nation Holland where a man of the match performance and a goal from the youngster saw his nation retain their title in the final against Serbia, and also saw him pick up the man of the match award.
The Dutch international has not featured regularly at all this season and looked set for a January departure, with Birmingham City being touted as possible suitors. Babel has since cleared the air with manager Rafael Benitez and is solely focusing on establishing his Liverpool career.
Babel said “I have made some mistakes during the season so I have learned a lot from this season and I will take that with me into the future. I think the turning point was that I could focus on the football and not rumours and different sayings of people and the media.”
“For every young player it is difficult to focus 100% when you know you are the subject of something that can influence your game. During that period people were telling me negative and positive things and that made me think about different things and you cannot concentrate on football.”
Babel partly blames rumours in the press about his future affecting his game, but a friendly word in his ear from Mr Benitez has seemed to have rejuvenated his confidence and he is now solely dedicated to aiding Liverpool’s cause for a top 4 finish and a Europa League Final appearance.
“It is a situation where both sides have to work with each other.” He said
“It has given me confidence recently and I’m now trying to give something back.
“Liverpool have confidence in me and I have confidence in Liverpool.”
Meanwhile Liverpool are facing real injury doubts ahead of the second leg Europa league clash with Atletico Madrid where they trail 1-0 from the first leg. With Fernando Torres out for the remainder of the campaign and fellow strikers Dirk Kuyt and David Ngog major doubts for the tie, it will be interesting to see if a rejuvenated Ryan Babel takes centre stage and spear heads Liverpool’s front line on what should be another engrossing European night at Anfield.
Do you think Ryan Babel has turned a corner? Will he be the wild card against Atletico Thursday night? Let us know.
