The boy to win us number 19!

[kris90210]

If he's good enough for Holland and LFC he can't be that bad. If he was truly poor he'd be out the door. We know Rafa doesn't suffer fools.

His problem is that in Holland the players either side of the forward in a 4-3-3 never go to the byline and try and dig out a cross. As a result he has never been trained to do so. A lot of that is the reason he has struggled since being here. For me his best position is behind the striker as he comes from deep and can run with the ball.

Our current best team for me would be Yossi on the left, Kuyt on the right, Gerrard and Mascher in midfield and Babel just in behind Torres. That would be dynamite.

But he's not first team for holland, which tells its own story. Im saying he's not good enough for LFC based on watching his performances for the last 2 years.

Who knows why he hasn't been moved on. There could be lots of reasons. Im sure Rafa would sell him for the right price. Most likely no wants to pay a decent price for him and Rafa feels he's better off gambling on him fulfilling his promise. And if he doesnt then there's always the world cup to use as a shop window.

I hear what you're saying about playing him off the striker but its pure speculation to suggest that thats his best position. There's no real basis for that argument because he's never played there on a consistant basis.

Also, at the Ajax academy the players are taught how to play in every position, so all that about him not being trained in getting to the byline is a cop out. He's been with us two years training in that position. If he had what it takes he would have made it by now - or at least be showing a hell of a lot more than he is.

I think we'll just have to agree to disagree mate.

[DannyMan2006]

But he's not first team for holland, which tells its own story. Im saying he's not good enough for LFC based on watching his performances for the last 2 years.

Who knows why he hasn't been moved on. There could be lots of reasons. Im sure Rafa would sell him for the right price. Most likely no wants to pay a decent price for him and Rafa feels he's better off gambling on him fulfilling his promise. And if he doesnt then there's always the world cup to use as a shop window.

I hear what you're saying about playing him off the striker but its pure speculation to suggest that thats his best position. There's no real basis for that argument because he's never played there on a consistant basis.

Also, at the Ajax academy the players are taught how to play in every position, so all that about him not being trained in getting to the byline is a cop out. He's been with us two years training in that position. If he had what it takes he would have made it by now - or at least be showing a hell of a lot more than he is.

I think we'll just have to agree to disagree mate.

He was voted best player in the 2007 U21 tournament in that position, so it shows he can play there.

And he is second choice on the left for Holland behind one of the best LW in the world in Arjen Robben. In fact I can't think of any better of the top of my head. Certainley better than Malouda, Nani and Young in the prem.

[wiw]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH-tqGd9NUw"]YouTube - 2-0 Babel Vs Derby[/ame]

[DannyMan2006]

It doesnt matter one bit what the dutch staff think, or what Babel does for Holland.

We're not Holland, we dont play World Cup qualifiers against Iceland, Scotland and Macedonia. We're Liverpool, we play in the Premier League and in this environment, Babel is offering nothing.

We may not be Holland. But they have a good pool of talent and the fact he gets in the squad means he is not as bad as everyone makes out.

Babel had a very good first season and a very poor second one. Let's see how he does. I'll be happy to have this thread dragged back up around Xmas and we can see how he's done. Because I can say now for certain that after listening to Tony Barretts comments Rafa rates him and he's here to stay.

[Craig_H]

We may not be Holland. But they have a good pool of talent and the fact he gets in the squad means he is not as bad as everyone makes out.

Babel had a very good first season and a very poor second one. Let's see how he does. I'll be happy to have this thread dragged back up around Xmas and we can see how he's done. Because I can say now for certain that after listening to Tony Barretts comments Rafa rates him and he's here to stay.

Yeah but they're also only required to perform against teams like Iceland. Aside from a tournement once every two years (which they never win).

[kris90210]

He was voted best player in the 2007 U21 tournament in that position, so it shows he can play there.

And he is second choice on the left for Holland behind one of the best LW in the world in Arjen Robben. In fact I can't think of any better of the top of my head. Certainley better than Malouda, Nani and Young in the prem.

So you agree with the rest of my points then?

Fair enough, I said he's never played in that position consistantly and he has. But under 21... says it all really. Different kettle of fish mate. More time and space on the ball.

You've only got to watch Babel play to know he's never a support striker. His passes arent going to magically become better, his touch isnt going to improve, his positional sense certainly wont improve from playing in an unfamiliar role. All that would happen would be that we'd have the same technically poor player playing in a far more important, not to mention difficult, position.

Yeah, I agree Robben is a quality player. A million times better than Babel.

[kris90210]

YouTube - 2-0 Babel Vs Derby

what a goal that was! sends the keeper the wrong way too. If only we could see a bit more of that from him!

[TheElephantMan]

Babel is ****. He will never ever be good enough. I can't stand him, I've never ever despised a Liverpool player before. I can't bear to see him playing in a Liverpool shirt.

[DannyMan2006]

Yeah but they're also only required to perform against teams like Iceland. Aside from a tournement once every two years (which they never win).

Of the top of my head they made the world cup final in 74, third in 94 and won Euro 88.

So you agree with the rest of my points then?

Fair enough, I said he's never played in that position consistantly and he has. But under 21... says it all really. Different kettle of fish mate. More time and space on the ball.

You've only got to watch Babel play to know he's never a support striker. His passes arent going to magically become better, his touch isnt going to improve, his positional sense certainly wont improve from playing in an unfamiliar role. All that would happen would be that we'd have the same technically poor player playing in a far more important, not to mention difficult, position.

Yeah, I agree Robben is a quality player. A million times better than Babel.

The 21's is still a good level when you get to tournament stage. Most of the continents teams tend to play the best team they can, whilst England don't tend to after they've made the first team, Rooney never played U21 for example.

I don't think Babel is as bad as you say. I just think most people on here read each others posts and feed of them, tending to lose sight of their own true opinion.

Well you can all revel in the knowledge he had a bad game today, but you'll all be happy to know I'll be dragging this thread back up when he has a stormer (never then I hear you all say )

[Ben_Itez]

Of the top of my head they made the world cup final in 74, third in 94 and won Euro 88.

None of which involved Babel.

He was abysmal today. I used to love him and after a bright start and decent first season i thought he'd progress into a truly world class player. Judging by last season and today he's regressed and im struggling to see any kind of promise or a future at our club.

Obviously i'd love him to come good but i just cant see it, we'll still get 1 good game in 10 and 9 utterly frustrating games where he continually makes the wrong decision.

I'd sell him to raise cash but Rafa probably knows if he does sell him he wont get to use any of the money so is keeping him til our financial situation improves.

Let's hope Riera is fit for Wednesday and we can use Babel as an impact sub up front or wide late in the game when Stoke are tiring.

[Icon]

Babel should be sold now.

Thread should be closed...

[Fierce]

None of which involved Babel.

He was abysmal today. I used to love him and after a bright start and decent first season i thought he'd progress into a truly world class player. Judging by last season and today he's regressed and im struggling to see any kind of promise or a future at our club.

Obviously i'd love him to come good but i just cant see it, we'll still get 1 good game in 10 and 9 utterly frustrating games where he continually makes the wrong decision.

I'd sell him to raise cash but Rafa probably knows if he does sell him he wont get to use any of the money so is keeping him til our financial situation improves.

Let's hope Riera is fit for Wednesday and we can use Babel as an impact sub up front or wide late in the game when Stoke are tiring.

Agree with all that. The bit in bold especially, I think thats how he should always be used

[TheElephantMan]

Agree with all that. The bit in bold especially, I think thats how he should always be used

I think he'd be a useless lazy ******* whatever he did in life, I wouldn't employ him to do anything. The sooner we get rid the better.

[Ben_Itez]

...and that sickening gangsta rap song he did just turns the stomach it's so vulgar and boastful. What a tit.

[Craig_H]

Of the top of my head they made the world cup final in 74, third in 94 and won Euro 88.

And Babel played a big role in those?

I was obviously talking about the squad he's in (and apparently plays well for).