Rafa Benitez believes Ryan Babel can maintain a prominent place in Liverpool’s squad next season if he maintains his new-found focus.
Having looked at one point during the winter transfer window as if he was on the verge of joining Birmingham City in a £9m deal, the Dutch international knuckled down to feature in all bar two of the Reds’ final 23 games.
It was a huge turnaround for Babel, as he had previously clashed with Benitez over a decision to be left out of the squad that drew 1-1 with Stoke City on January 16 – the player used the social networking website, Twitter, to reveal the manager’s plan.
He was then sent home from training for showing a poor attitude shortly after that but after clear-the-air talks, Benitez decided to give Babel another chance, rather than send him to Ajax on loan.
A number of clubs in Europe are still monitoring Babel’s situation and it’s quite possible Liverpool’s resolve will be tested when the window formally opens for business but Benitez has given the impression he is not ready to hurry him away.
So long as he keeps his focus, Benitez has indicated he would be willing to provide a platform for Babel to showcase his talents and is pleased with the attitude he has shown.
“We had a meeting with him in January,” said Benitez, who brought Babel to Anfield in the summer of 2007. “I expressed my ideas and he expressed his ideas about the future.
“I was very clear that I wanted to keep him because he is a player who has the ability to make a difference in games.
“He told me that he wanted to be playing games and working hard. I then told him there was no problem because we both had the same ideas.”
Babel suggested at one point towards the end of the season that he was hugely self-critical, a trait he picked up after strict upbringing in Holland.
But Benitez – who has been linked with Inter Milan post currently occupied by Jose Mourinho – believes will gain more confidence and faith in his ability if he learns to relax a little more.
“It was good for him to get chance and good for the team,” said Benitez.
“When we signed him, we met his family and you could see they were good people, who wanted him to do well.
“Ryan has had problems but he is growing and I think at the end of the season he was much better.”
Having looked at one point during the winter transfer window as if he was on the verge of joining Birmingham City in a £9m deal, the Dutch international knuckled down to feature in all bar two of the Reds’ final 23 games.
It was a huge turnaround for Babel, as he had previously clashed with Benitez over a decision to be left out of the squad that drew 1-1 with Stoke City on January 16 – the player used the social networking website, Twitter, to reveal the manager’s plan.
He was then sent home from training for showing a poor attitude shortly after that but after clear-the-air talks, Benitez decided to give Babel another chance, rather than send him to Ajax on loan.
A number of clubs in Europe are still monitoring Babel’s situation and it’s quite possible Liverpool’s resolve will be tested when the window formally opens for business but Benitez has given the impression he is not ready to hurry him away.
So long as he keeps his focus, Benitez has indicated he would be willing to provide a platform for Babel to showcase his talents and is pleased with the attitude he has shown.
“We had a meeting with him in January,” said Benitez, who brought Babel to Anfield in the summer of 2007. “I expressed my ideas and he expressed his ideas about the future.
“I was very clear that I wanted to keep him because he is a player who has the ability to make a difference in games.
“He told me that he wanted to be playing games and working hard. I then told him there was no problem because we both had the same ideas.”
Babel suggested at one point towards the end of the season that he was hugely self-critical, a trait he picked up after strict upbringing in Holland.
But Benitez – who has been linked with Inter Milan post currently occupied by Jose Mourinho – believes will gain more confidence and faith in his ability if he learns to relax a little more.
“It was good for him to get chance and good for the team,” said Benitez.
“When we signed him, we met his family and you could see they were good people, who wanted him to do well.
“Ryan has had problems but he is growing and I think at the end of the season he was much better.”
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