Ryan Babel

[psl]

Starting up front tonight?

 

BABEL SET FOR MORE STRIKING ROLE

Jimmy Rice 29 October 2008

 

Rafa Benitez today praised the contribution of substitute Ryan Babel in Liverpool's 1-0 victory over Chelsea - and revealed we'll be seeing a lot more of the Dutchman in his preferred striking role.

 

Having already scored the winner from the bench against United this season, Babel was again introduced to great effect at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

 

Brought on as a lone striker for the final 30 minutes, the 21-year-old helped keep Chelsea on the back foot by stretching the defence with power and pace.

 

Benitez said: "When we signed Albert Riera we thought of Babel being more of a striker.

 

"Ryan is still a young player. Some Dutch players come to England for only one or two years. In this case, this is his second year and he was injured at the start coming back from the Olympic Games.

 

"But he is giving us something more and I was really pleased with him the other day at Chelsea. I think that was the perfect game for him.

 

"At that time we needed pace and power and ability, so we could cope with the two centre-backs. He could beat them, it was perfect and really good for him."

 

Nine of Babel's 11 Liverpool goals have come as a substitute, with 27 of his 58 appearances arriving from the bench.

 

Benitez believes the Holland international remains most effective as an impact player for now, but is confident Babel can soon make the progression to producing the same threat over 90 minutes.

 

"Clearly there is a massive difference when you are talking about a player with pace - normally their stamina levels are not the same," said the Anfield boss.

 

"To do the same thing 20 times at maximum intensity, it's not easy, so they need time to rest. For these kind of players to play 90 minutes at this pace and high tempo is impossible. That is the reason why he can make a massive difference in 20 to 30 minutes."

 

Meanwhile, Benitez dismissed the suggestion Liverpool do not have enough experience at being front-runners after the Chelsea victory opened up a three-point cushion at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

 

"The people in the staff – Sammy Lee, Mauricio Pellegrino – have experience and the players have won the Champions League, which is a massive trophy," said Benitez. "We have some experience of that. I have won the league in Spain, too.

 

"The first year we came from behind at Valencia, but the second year for a long time we were on top of the table. If we can stay there in three weeks' time we will start feeling pressure. But that is good.

 

"People said we were like a machine in that second season. We had the balance. We were attacking very well and defending well.

 

"We lost the last game against Albacete 1-0 when we were champions and by just scoring one goal we would have scored more than Real Madrid, who got something like 71. We also conceded fewer than anyone else. So we had the balance. Being a machine was a compliment."

[usualsuspect]

Good to hear. Really think he can excel in that role. Looked dangerous against an accomplished defense last Sunday.

Edited October 29, 2008 by usualsuspect

[Chili Palmer]

Good to hear. Really think he can excel in that role. Looked dangerous against an accomplished defense last Sunday.

 

 

and finding his voice as well.

[Magic8Ball]

Good to hear. Really think he can excel in that role. Looked dangerous against an accomplished defense last Sunday.

What then of N'Gog ? - if we have Torres, Babel, Keane , Kuyt all playing as striker, what happens to N'gog ?

[Ronnie Whelan]

I dont think his pace will be as much of a weapon against the deep pompey defence tonight, but I would still like to see hiim start. He needs a song too.

[CaptainXabi]

Rafa is handing out compliments left and right these days (by his standards).

[Andy-oh-six]

What then of N'Gog ? - if we have Torres, Babel, Keane , Kuyt all playing as striker, what happens to N'gog ?

 

treated like a dog.

[Flasher]

Rafa is handing out compliments left and right these days (by his standards).

 

 

Deliberate change in policy, or have the players just earned it? Letting them know that they are setting new standards which he expects them to keep now?

 

So many questions

[CaptainXabi]

Deliberate change in policy, or have the players just earned it? Letting them know that they are setting new standards which he expects them to keep now?

 

So many questions

A bit of all three I think.

[D.Boon]

Rafa confirming what those with patience and a rough understanding of the game have known all along.

 

Good stuff. Babel is going to be a great player.

[honourablegeorge]

and finding his voice as well.

 

 

Yeah - I was delighted to see him having a right go at Masch for not pickign him out.

[floyd the barber]

i wouldnt start him against pompy..

 

Rafa should keep things as they are.....keane up top, with gerrard just behind

[Mike]

ive yet to see him start a game and do well? has it happened?

[Hassony]

ive yet to see him start a game and do well? has it happened?

Bolton Away last season, Marseille away this season

 

not many though, much more effective from the bench

[Bo Benn]

"At that time we needed pace and power and ability"

 

Whereas Keane is slow, weak and generally inept

 

I think Babel has earned his place in the XI. He was an improvement on Keane against Chelsea, although Robbie had worked his a*** off during that game.

 

In a 442 I'm sure Ryan could do well with either Keane or Kuyt (or Torres for that matter). And I actually think Ryan is better physically suited for playing in a lone striker role than both Keane and Kuyt. Though he might lack the experience of K and K.

[usualsuspect]

Bolton Away last season, Marseille away this season

 

not many though, much more effective from the bench

True

But can only improve... young, new to league etc etc

[Guest PaulMcC]

I haven't seen him play too many decent games up front.

 

I remember one game he was so bad up front he had to get put back on the wing after about half an hour.

[johngibo YPC]

I haven't seen him play too many decent games up front.

 

I remember one game he was so bad up front he had to get put back on the wing after about half an hour.

 

As do i

Who was it again? Barnsley possibly

[fyds]

ive yet to see him start a game and do well? has it happened?

Derby at home last season was one, if I remember right.

[Guest PaulMcC]

As do i

Who was it again? Barnsley possibly

 

Barnsley, TNS or Luton.

 

Definitely one of the cup games against a lower league team.

[Chili Palmer]

ive yet to see him start a game and do well? has it happened?

 

 

he played well over in Marseille.

[David Hodgson]

ive yet to see him start a game and do well? has it happened?

 

Not often.

 

Off the top of my head he was good from the off in the 6-0 win over Derby, and was very good in the away match at Bolton last season.

[honourablegeorge]

6-0 - when are we going to spank someone this season? Would love to see it all click. Although I'll cope if we end up with 29 more narrow league wins.

[Alonso]

Did he start away to Newcastle? He had a good game then IIRC.

[Guest PaulMcC]

Did he start away to Newcastle? He had a good game then IIRC.

 

No. He was sub.