Ryan Babel

[Kahnee]

I'm sure it's been done to death in the post-mortem of yesterday, but broadening it out - what is his future here?

He arrived with a reputation for being quick, skilful and a scorer of goals/provider of assists.

Presently, he doesn't tick any of those boxes.

Gerrard said on Sky last year that they had high hopes for him, but he had to put the effort in (or words to that effect), and even Andy Gray yesterday said this is a big season for the lad.

But he seems to be running like he's got blisters on his cramped toes, he apparently has never seen a ball before, and going by yesterday's failure to grab the bull by the horns, he's forgotten the simple act of running past a defender.

 

Looking ahead, with a title push our serious goal for this year, is he really up to the standard we need? I mean, he's kind of gone past being a prospect. Or am I being unkind, and he was dropped on his head last summer?

[Falconhoof]

We'd be better off giving El Zhar a start or maybe we can fit Pacheco in somehow.

[Chili Palmer]

Doesn't deserve to wear the shirt, effort is the absolute minimum requirement.

[floyd]

Physically - got everything

Mentally - got f*** all

[Benzo-13]

Torres cover. Should never be put near the wing again.

[madaboutlfc]

seriously, Heskey was more useful on the wing

[Swipe]

A joke of a player. Doesn't have the tools to be an LFC player. No courage, conviction, heart, work ethic or belief.

 

Had a glimmer of hope he'd realise this season is his last chance and really go for it. Yesterday's performance suggests otherwise.

 

If we could get anywhere near the money we spent on him i'd imagine he'd be gone by now.

 

He doesn't deserve to be anywhere near the wing in future. Back up for Torres when he needs a rest and a sub at all other times. It's a complete waste to start with him.

 

Such a disappointing signing.

 

Think it also says a lot that while Rafa and his agent have tried to big him up in the summer, Babel doesn't appear to have said much himself.

Edited August 17, 2009 by Swipe

[Zoob]

It's like a bad freak show gone wrong - never have I seen a Liverpool player regress as Babel has done, and I was really very excited when we signed him. He joined us with high hopes, and provided some good moments in his first season - not loads and loads, but enough to think his future was bright. But since that first season, it's all downhill. At times he doesn't even look like a footballer.

Edited August 17, 2009 by Zoob

[Red Kent]

Babel is a striker, when he's played there he has looked a much much better player.

[DJS]

It's like a bad freak show gone wrong - never have I seen a Liverpool player regress as Babel has done, and I was really very excited when we signed him. He joined us with high hopes, and provided some good moments in his first season - not loads and loads, but enough to think his future was bright. But since that first season, it's all downhill. At times he doesn't even look like a footballer.

 

Not seen one regress as much? Your post could easily have been about Harry Kewell.

[Loblaw]

I've no problem with people not rating him as a player, but this 'no heart', 'doesn't work hard', is just complete and utter b******s.

 

Try him on the right maybe, he's so one footed i'm not sure what the idea is playing him on the left tbh.

 

And yes, he does seem to have gone backwards. That's a question for the coaching staff as well as the player.

Edited August 17, 2009 by Loblaw

[Swipe]

You think Babel plays like he gives a s***?

 

Not from what I've seen of him, unfortunately.

 

He's an utter bottler

[Tones]

I think he was good in his first season. Was often the left of the front 3, or the 3 behind Torres whichever way you look at it. Seems to have gone backwards.

[Red Kent]

I've no problem with people not rating him as a player, but this 'no heart', 'doesn't work hard', is just complete and utter b******s.

 

Try him on the right maybe, he's so one footed i'm not sure what the idea is playing him on the left tbh.

 

And yes, he does seem to have gone backwards. That's a question for the coaching staff as well as the player.

 

Totally agree. Whilst people call him fits to burn, you have to look at the way hes been coached as well. It's not always so black and white at times.

[Chili Palmer]

I've no problem with people not rating him as a player, but this 'no heart', 'doesn't work hard', is just complete and utter b******s.

 

Try him on the right maybe, he's so one footed i'm not sure what the idea is playing him on the left tbh.

 

And yes, he does seem to have gone backwards. That's a question for the coaching staff as well as the player.

 

 

'He doesn't work hard and has no heart' is not complete b******s, in fact it sums Babel up perfectly.

[Dan]

He's useless. Sell him.

 

I'd rather have Andy Sinton on the left.

[stressederic]

I can't even remember the last time Babel had a shot. He used to have a bloody howitzer for a right foot, but where has that gone?

 

Benayoun put him to shame in a 15-20 minute cameo. Spurs' defenders were terrified of him and just kept backing off. With Babel they all just piled in knowing they'd get the ball.

[schmuckdonald]

Its because we've tried to instill a sense of tactical discipline and a brain into him, but he doesn't have one. And now every time he gets the ball he's like a dear in headlights because he's trying to think of what to do, whereas originally he just ran on instinct, namely run infield and t*at with his right. But that only works 1 out of 10 times at the very most. He should be trained as an out and out forward and be the back up to Torres.

[Red Kent]

I can't even remember the last time Babel had a shot. He used to have a bloody howitzer for a right foot, but where has that gone?

 

Benayoun put him to shame in a 15-20 minute cameo. Spurs' defenders were terrified of him and just kept backing off. With Babel they all just piled in knowing they'd get the ball.

 

Benayoun comes inside a lot, Babel dribbles down the outside..ohhhhh matron

[Swipe]

Its because we've tried to instill a sense of tactical discipline and a brain into him, but he doesn't have one. And now every time he gets the ball he's like a dear in headlights because he's trying to think of what to do, whereas originally he just ran on instinct, namely run infield and t*at with his right. But that only works 1 out of 10 times at the very most. He should be trained as an out and out forward and be the back up to Torres.

 

Agree. Said it before - play him up front when we need to and instruct him to hit it as hard as he can towards goal. So much of Rafa's thinking with players is trust. It's why he loves Dirk. He can't have any trust left in Babel.

 

I'd love him to prove me wrong, but I really don't think he'll ever do anything for us

[Sion]

I'm absolutely furious with him. I was for some reason willing to give him another chance this season but not anymore. I want him sold. I don't care if it's for as little as £5-6m. Dossena is a much better LW option.

[Swipe]

I'm absolutely furious with him. I was for some reason willing to give him another chance this season but not anymore. I want him sold. I don't care if it's for as little as £5-6m. Dossena is a much better LW option.

 

Defo. Would rather see Doss or Aurelio there if Reira or Benni aren't.

[David Hodgson]

I've no problem with people not rating him as a player, but this 'no heart', 'doesn't work hard', is just complete and utter b******s.

 

Try him on the right maybe, he's so one footed i'm not sure what the idea is playing him on the left tbh.

 

And yes, he does seem to have gone backwards. That's a question for the coaching staff as well as the player.

 

the only sensible post on this subject ive seen in a while. Babel looks to be a man hugely lacking in confidence, and that is it.

[surf]

He also looks like a player that doesn't know what to do with the ball when he has it. That something you accept from young player new to the team, but he's 22 and starting his third season. He's not even showing signs that he's picking up on tactical awareness.

[Stefano]

I've no problem with people not rating him as a player, but this 'no heart', 'doesn't work hard', is just complete and utter b******s.

 

He's a lazy, gutless coward. I'm struggling to even remember a game where he's looked like he gave a f*** or enjoyed playing for the club.