Ryan Babel has told how he is hoping to put an indifferent season behind him – by becoming a Kop idol like Fernando Torres.
The Dutch forward has endured a difficult second season in English football and has found himself on the fringes of Rafa Benitez’s title challenging side.
But with the sale of Robbie Keane to Spurs having left the Reds boss short of attacking options, Babel is hoping to be given more opportunities to prove himself.
“With Robbie having gone to Tottenham that has increased my chances a little more,” said the 22-year-old.
“I feel that I am ready for more playing time so hopefully that will come.
“I have spoken with the manager and he has told me what my role can be in the future. If necessary, I will play as a winger, but I have made no secret of my desire to play as a striker at Liverpool.”
Babel was selected in his preferred central attacking role in Liverpool’s most recent game at Portsmouth.
Though the former Ajax man did not get on the scoresheet that day, he was happy that Benitez gave him a run out up front, and now he wants to repay his manager’s faith by proving his worth to the team.
And he is looking to learn from Torres as he endeavours to make the improvements he feels are necessary if he is to cut it as a top class striker.
He added: “I have to be realistic. I know Fernando is the number one striker, there is no doubt about that.
“But there are a lot of games and I want to prove that I can be a striker, too.
“Fernando has wonderful movement and that is what makes him the player he is. It’s definitely an area where I can get better, so I look at him in training.
“My shooting with my left foot could be better, too, and Fernando is good with both feet so I have been watching how he positions his body to strike the ball.
“I have to keep telling myself that I am only 22. it is easy to forget that.
“It is good for me that I have been playing more as a striker because that is where I feel most comfortable.
“But I have time on my side and there are more players in the squad who have more experience and are good in that role, too.
“As long as I am playing, though, I am happy being anywhere on the pitch.”
The Dutch forward has endured a difficult second season in English football and has found himself on the fringes of Rafa Benitez’s title challenging side.
But with the sale of Robbie Keane to Spurs having left the Reds boss short of attacking options, Babel is hoping to be given more opportunities to prove himself.
“With Robbie having gone to Tottenham that has increased my chances a little more,” said the 22-year-old.
“I feel that I am ready for more playing time so hopefully that will come.
“I have spoken with the manager and he has told me what my role can be in the future. If necessary, I will play as a winger, but I have made no secret of my desire to play as a striker at Liverpool.”
Babel was selected in his preferred central attacking role in Liverpool’s most recent game at Portsmouth.
Though the former Ajax man did not get on the scoresheet that day, he was happy that Benitez gave him a run out up front, and now he wants to repay his manager’s faith by proving his worth to the team.
And he is looking to learn from Torres as he endeavours to make the improvements he feels are necessary if he is to cut it as a top class striker.
He added: “I have to be realistic. I know Fernando is the number one striker, there is no doubt about that.
“But there are a lot of games and I want to prove that I can be a striker, too.
“Fernando has wonderful movement and that is what makes him the player he is. It’s definitely an area where I can get better, so I look at him in training.
“My shooting with my left foot could be better, too, and Fernando is good with both feet so I have been watching how he positions his body to strike the ball.
“I have to keep telling myself that I am only 22. it is easy to forget that.
“It is good for me that I have been playing more as a striker because that is where I feel most comfortable.
“But I have time on my side and there are more players in the squad who have more experience and are good in that role, too.
“As long as I am playing, though, I am happy being anywhere on the pitch.”
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