Ryan Babel's goal

[MrMichael]

When did this become a thinly veiled Lucas bashing thread? Jesus, get a grip, he was one of our better players tonight.

Babel clearly demonstrated everything in 15 minutes what he is about. From the sublime to downright ridiculous, and yes, I'm talking about that free kick. He's simply not consistent enough to play for an inconsistent team (oh ) I'm sure that strike might stick with Benitez for the game against Birmingham since Gerrard may be out for some time, we could do with some ammunition like that.

[el matador]

lucas was really good tonight. didn't waste possession and was good defensively. we made a mistake and theycapitaised on it.

we are all disappointed but we were very unlucky.

[Harv]

Babel is ****ing ****. When are you people going to finally realise.

Mark my words, in 5 years he will be back in the 'Dam selling bootleg rap albums and giving hand jobs for a fiver.

Get rid now while we still can.

[BFG]

Great goal. Hope it gives his confidence a boost. We could do with some of the impact performances he gave regularly in his first season.

[red g]

lucas was really good tonight. didn't waste possession and was good defensively. we made a mistake and theycapitaised on it.

we are all disappointed but we were very unlucky.

[Guest]

Great goal. Hope it gives his confidence a boost. We could do with some of the impact performances he gave regularly in his first season.

That's what I think is his problem. Rather than saying 'he's ****e' or '****ing crap' or whatever idiocy I've heard on here, we should get behind him until he's no longer a LFC player anymore. Not many player could have scored a goal like that, does show he's got talent. He needs to believe more in himself.

[RoadEnd]

It works both ways. I'm more than happy to give him my support, but he also needs to earn the support of the fans by proving himself on the pitch and on the training ground. Bruno Cheyrou scored a great goal against Chelsea, but he was still crap.

My issue with Babel is his whole attitude and focus on playing for Liverpool. If he's good enough, then let him show it. You might argue that he doesn't get the opportunity when he's on the bench - but he has prove himself to Rafa first.

He has had starts in the Carling Cup against Leeds and Arsenal reserves, where he had a big opportunity to show us and Rafa why he should be starting Premier League games - and unfortunately he failed.

For someone who cost £11m and is paid a shed load of money each week - I expect more.

[BFG]

That's what I think is his problem. Rather than saying 'he's ****e' or '****ing crap' or whatever idiocy I've heard on here, we should get behind him until he's no longer a LFC player anymore. Not many player could have scored a goal like that, does show he's got talent. He needs to believe more in himself.

It seems to me that at times he's almost trying too hard and seems to put pressure on himself. You could even see it after he'd scored last night. Instead of the goal having a calming influence on him he just seemed desperate to score another, and his finishing suffered because of it. If he can mature and become more level headed I think he's got the kind of skills that can be of great use even if some other areas of his game will never be at the same level because of lack of game intelligence.

I still get the feeling with Babel that he's got it in him to be a success here and against all the evidence to the contrary I think he will be. I had the same feeling about Kewell until the day he left though.

[reds123]

Babel's goal

Easily one of the best Liverpool goals of all time.

What a shame that Babel isn't consistent enough.

He is always better than Voronin no doubts about it though.

Babel should be given more time to adapt! Look at Lucas! He is slowly becoming a good player from an average player last season because he plays every game!!!

[cream]

Not the first time he's done it either.

[Scratch]

Easily one of the best Liverpool goals of all time.

What a shame that Babel isn't consistent enough.

He is always better than Voronin no doubts about it though.

Babel should be given more time to adapt! Look at Lucas! He is slowly becoming a good player from an average player last season because he plays every game!!!

But Lucas also shows more desire every game...Babel sometimes looks like he hasn't listened to a word that Rafa has said, and plays with little urgency and desire.

If Babel pulled his finger out, gave his all every time he pulled on the shirt, then people would respect him more, whether he played well or not. Obviously playing well would be better!

[Guest]

It seems to me that at times he's almost trying too hard and seems to put pressure on himself. You could even see it after he'd scored last night. Instead of the goal having a calming influence on him he just seemed desperate to score another, and his finishing suffered because of it. If he can mature and become more level headed I think he's got the kind of skills that can be of great use even if some other areas of his game will never be at the same level because of lack of game intelligence.

I still get the feeling with Babel that he's got it in him to be a success here and against all the evidence to the contrary I think he will be. I had the same feeling about Kewell until the day he left though.

Oh dear I forgot about that crock Kewell, he's been even worse than Babel. At least Babel is playing.

[RPAS]

Regarding the finish - obviously not perfect seeing as he didn't score, but it was more of a save than a miss in my eyes.

Lucas in general I think does have that tendancy to switch off if the opposition player gets goal side (Insua is extremely guilty of this). I'm not sure of the role Lucas will play for us once Aquilani is fit. He is steady enough, but lacking creativity and has a craving for giving silly freekicks away. Having said that, one of our better performers this year!!

The role Lucas will play is as successor for Mascherano when he gets his promised move to Barca next Summer. Rafa has to play Lucas this season regardless as next year he will be playing a key role game in game out.

[MrMichael]

Easily one of the best Liverpool goals of all time.

What a shame that Babel isn't consistent enough.

He is always better than Voronin no doubts about it though.

Babel should be given more time to adapt! Look at Lucas! He is slowly becoming a good player from an average player last season because he plays every game!!!

It was a very nice strike, but "easily one of the best LFC goals of all time"???? That's hyperbole at its finest if you ask me, but I guess these things are subjective.

Consistency is indeed Babel's problem.... or one of them. I want him to become the player we see flashes of every now and then, but on the evidence so far I don't see him having the discipline or game intelligence to realise even a fraction of his talent on a regular basis. I agree that I'd rather see him ahead of Voronin, but I'd rather the tea-lady was starting ahead of Voronin.... but even with that said I can sort of see why Rafa prefers a player who may attempt to follow his instructions to one who mostly seems to forget them as soon as he steps on the pitch.

[el matador]

ryan needs a run of game and he needs them playing up front with torres. There's nothing worse for a player than starting a game only to be under pressure to perform because if he doesnt he's only on for 65 minutes.

He needs to play a full 90 mins and a run of consecutive games. he has talent and although his decision making is poor he can only work that out if he plays games.

I think we need to change our formation too - i dont like the 4231 and think we would be better served going for a 433 formation with

...............................reina.............. ..................


..johnson......carra.............agger............ aurelio

......gerrard...........masher.........aquilani... .......

.........................benayoun................. ........

...............torres...............babel......... ..........


I have to say I think Lucas has done exceptionally well recently and was fab last night and on form he deserves to stay in the team.