Every home match Liverpool FC's official matchday programme ponders the question: 'What does a player's name say about their personality?'
It offers a quirky insight into life on and off the pitch with a whole host of random questions that inspire answers you won't find in your average football interview.
Here Ryan Babel reveals why he once owned an Arsenal shirt with Bergkamp on the back, how he would like to introduce technology to help with controversial incidents and which fellow Dutchman he rates alongside Steven Gerrard as the best player he has ever played with.
R RAFA BENITEZ
WHAT DOES HE DO DIFFERENTLY FROM OTHER MANAGERS YOU HAVE PLAYED UNDER?
The training is different to what I am used to at Ajax. We did a lot of tactical work and set pieces. There would always be a lot of talking. But if it went wrong, then ok, it went wrong. Here, the boss has installed a great team discipline. The first thing we must always do is not concede goals and he is very good at predicting what the other teams will do. At first, this method was different, but it definitely works in games because everybody knows what they have to do.
Y YOU
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FIRST FOOTBALLING MEMORIES?
I remember Ajax winning the Dutch championship then the Champions League against Juventus in 1995. It was a great side with players like Kluivert and Seedorf. Around that time, I remember owning an Arsenal shirt with Bergkamp on the back. I don't know whether I should say that, but Bergkamp was a great player.
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT FOOTBALL, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I would like to see the game changed to help the referee. It would be better if the fourth official could have more communication with the referee and advise him on certain decisions. For instance, in the game against Newcastle, Torres ran through and the keeper saved it outside the box with his arm. Everybody could see in the replays it was a handball. In real time, it was too fast and it was understandable that the referee made the wrong decision.
A AMSTERDAM
WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT GROWING UP IN AMSTERDAM?
It's a nice place and a relaxed place to live. All of my family and friends live there and I always like to go back. There is good food, the city is lovely, and there are some great spots to hang out. Especially in the summer, places like Vondelpark are nice to relax in.
N NETHERLANDS
HOW DO YOU RATE YOUR CHANCES IN EURO 2008?
In terms of the players in the squad, we have a very big chance, but we probably have to gel as a team a bit more. We have a couple of games before the tournament starts, so I am sure we will sort out any problems we have in those matches.
HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE DUTCH PEOPLE IN THREE WORDS?
Dutch people generally are loyal, disciplined and straight to the point.
B BEATLES
ARE THE BEATLES THE MOST FAMOUS BAND TO GRACE THE EARTH?
Of course they are. There are not many bands that have reached their level. Their music is great and everyone, no matter where you are in the world, has heard at least a few of their songs. Whenever I hear their songs in the car, I will sing along.
WE UNDERSTAND YOU ARE IN TO YOUR MUSIC?
Music is very important for me. I think there are moments when music can help you and make you feel better. Whether it's the lyrics, the beat or whatever, I think there is something in music, which is similar to the experiences you have in life. Now I am a part-time producer in R&B and hip-hop and I am trying to improve my dance stuff.
A ANFIELD
WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT ANFIELD TO THE OTHER GROUNDS YOU HAVE PLAYED AT?
I think it's compact, and very close to the pitch. A lot of stadiums in England are very close to the pitch, but Anfield is different because it is a classic stadium with all of its history. As soon as I walked into the ground for the first time, I really got the 'This is Anfield' feeling. Most players probably feel the same, because there is no place like Anfield.
HOW DID YOU FEEL WHEN YOU SCORED YOUR FIRST GOAL AGAINST DERBY?
I had a feeling that I have never felt before. It was nice to feel the genuine appreciation of the fans. It was a good team goal and one that all the players can be proud of.
B BEST OF
WHO IS THE BEST PLAYER YOU HAVE PLAYED WITH?
I was lucky at Ajax to play with Wesley Sneijder who was a very important player. His level of performance on the training pitch and in matches was always the same high standard, and there’s no surprise he's doing it again with Real Madrid. So many times he would win us the match. There were games when you would get the feeling you were going to lose, then he would produce some magic. He has the same impact as Steven Gerrard who is equally one of the greatest players in the world. I really appreciate that at my age I am able to play with footballers like that.
AND AGAINST?
In terms of playing against, let me see. Three years ago I played against Gianluca Zambrotta, who was at Juventus at the time. He had me all game and I didn't get past him once. I am a better player now, so I think I'd fare a lot better.
E ENGLISH LIVING
ARE THERE ANY CUSTOMS YOU HAVE EMBRACED SINCE MOVING FROM HOLLAND?
I watch Match of the Day every Saturday night after a match. Really, it's the only programme I have watched so far because I haven't had a lot of spare time. I have eaten proper fish and chips on a trip to London a few years ago, so I tried a proper Scouse chip shop when I first signed for the club. They were very different from one another and I haven't had one since.
L LEAGUE TITLES
DO YOU THINK THERE IS A SENSE AMONGST THE SQUAD THAT LIVERPOOL CAN WIN THE TITLE THIS SEASON?
Yeah, I think so. I might have only been here since the summer, but from what I can tell and what I have been told, we have made a better start than last year. I think we could have started the season better, but when a lot of players come into the squad, it takes time to settle.
WHAT WOULD IT MEAN TO YOU TO WIN THE LEAGUE IN YOUR FIRST SEASON?
It would be fantastic. I have never won the league before. Last season at Ajax, we lost the league in the last game of the season to PSV, and it hurt, so I am desperate to go one better this year.
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drill...80109-0848.htm
It offers a quirky insight into life on and off the pitch with a whole host of random questions that inspire answers you won't find in your average football interview.
Here Ryan Babel reveals why he once owned an Arsenal shirt with Bergkamp on the back, how he would like to introduce technology to help with controversial incidents and which fellow Dutchman he rates alongside Steven Gerrard as the best player he has ever played with.
R RAFA BENITEZ
WHAT DOES HE DO DIFFERENTLY FROM OTHER MANAGERS YOU HAVE PLAYED UNDER?
The training is different to what I am used to at Ajax. We did a lot of tactical work and set pieces. There would always be a lot of talking. But if it went wrong, then ok, it went wrong. Here, the boss has installed a great team discipline. The first thing we must always do is not concede goals and he is very good at predicting what the other teams will do. At first, this method was different, but it definitely works in games because everybody knows what they have to do.
Y YOU
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FIRST FOOTBALLING MEMORIES?
I remember Ajax winning the Dutch championship then the Champions League against Juventus in 1995. It was a great side with players like Kluivert and Seedorf. Around that time, I remember owning an Arsenal shirt with Bergkamp on the back. I don't know whether I should say that, but Bergkamp was a great player.
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT FOOTBALL, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I would like to see the game changed to help the referee. It would be better if the fourth official could have more communication with the referee and advise him on certain decisions. For instance, in the game against Newcastle, Torres ran through and the keeper saved it outside the box with his arm. Everybody could see in the replays it was a handball. In real time, it was too fast and it was understandable that the referee made the wrong decision.
A AMSTERDAM
WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT GROWING UP IN AMSTERDAM?
It's a nice place and a relaxed place to live. All of my family and friends live there and I always like to go back. There is good food, the city is lovely, and there are some great spots to hang out. Especially in the summer, places like Vondelpark are nice to relax in.
N NETHERLANDS
HOW DO YOU RATE YOUR CHANCES IN EURO 2008?
In terms of the players in the squad, we have a very big chance, but we probably have to gel as a team a bit more. We have a couple of games before the tournament starts, so I am sure we will sort out any problems we have in those matches.
HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE DUTCH PEOPLE IN THREE WORDS?
Dutch people generally are loyal, disciplined and straight to the point.
B BEATLES
ARE THE BEATLES THE MOST FAMOUS BAND TO GRACE THE EARTH?
Of course they are. There are not many bands that have reached their level. Their music is great and everyone, no matter where you are in the world, has heard at least a few of their songs. Whenever I hear their songs in the car, I will sing along.
WE UNDERSTAND YOU ARE IN TO YOUR MUSIC?
Music is very important for me. I think there are moments when music can help you and make you feel better. Whether it's the lyrics, the beat or whatever, I think there is something in music, which is similar to the experiences you have in life. Now I am a part-time producer in R&B and hip-hop and I am trying to improve my dance stuff.
A ANFIELD
WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT ANFIELD TO THE OTHER GROUNDS YOU HAVE PLAYED AT?
I think it's compact, and very close to the pitch. A lot of stadiums in England are very close to the pitch, but Anfield is different because it is a classic stadium with all of its history. As soon as I walked into the ground for the first time, I really got the 'This is Anfield' feeling. Most players probably feel the same, because there is no place like Anfield.
HOW DID YOU FEEL WHEN YOU SCORED YOUR FIRST GOAL AGAINST DERBY?
I had a feeling that I have never felt before. It was nice to feel the genuine appreciation of the fans. It was a good team goal and one that all the players can be proud of.
B BEST OF
WHO IS THE BEST PLAYER YOU HAVE PLAYED WITH?
I was lucky at Ajax to play with Wesley Sneijder who was a very important player. His level of performance on the training pitch and in matches was always the same high standard, and there’s no surprise he's doing it again with Real Madrid. So many times he would win us the match. There were games when you would get the feeling you were going to lose, then he would produce some magic. He has the same impact as Steven Gerrard who is equally one of the greatest players in the world. I really appreciate that at my age I am able to play with footballers like that.
AND AGAINST?
In terms of playing against, let me see. Three years ago I played against Gianluca Zambrotta, who was at Juventus at the time. He had me all game and I didn't get past him once. I am a better player now, so I think I'd fare a lot better.
E ENGLISH LIVING
ARE THERE ANY CUSTOMS YOU HAVE EMBRACED SINCE MOVING FROM HOLLAND?
I watch Match of the Day every Saturday night after a match. Really, it's the only programme I have watched so far because I haven't had a lot of spare time. I have eaten proper fish and chips on a trip to London a few years ago, so I tried a proper Scouse chip shop when I first signed for the club. They were very different from one another and I haven't had one since.
L LEAGUE TITLES
DO YOU THINK THERE IS A SENSE AMONGST THE SQUAD THAT LIVERPOOL CAN WIN THE TITLE THIS SEASON?
Yeah, I think so. I might have only been here since the summer, but from what I can tell and what I have been told, we have made a better start than last year. I think we could have started the season better, but when a lot of players come into the squad, it takes time to settle.
WHAT WOULD IT MEAN TO YOU TO WIN THE LEAGUE IN YOUR FIRST SEASON?
It would be fantastic. I have never won the league before. Last season at Ajax, we lost the league in the last game of the season to PSV, and it hurt, so I am desperate to go one better this year.
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drill...80109-0848.htm
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