Ryan Babel eager to build on his early progress at Liverpool

IT DIDN’T take long for Ryan Babel to realise there’s no hiding place from football in Liverpool.

The Dutchman was enjoying an afternoon’s shopping with his girlfriend Lindsay soon after his £11.5million summer move from Ajax when he noticed something wasn’t quite right.

“We went shopping twice and we met the same people in both shops,” recalls Babel. “I watched them closely for some time and they appeared to be following us. It was a weird experience; I’ve never come across a similar thing in Amsterdam.

“But I’m having a great time here. I obviously miss my family, friends and the town of Amsterdam, but I don’t feel homesick, leading such a beautiful, attractive and exciting life.”

Babel certainly hasn’t wasted any time in ascending his career ladder to ensure that existence.

Having only turned 21 last month, the striker had already appeared in a World Cup and won the European Under-21 Championships for his country before Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez came calling in July.

The Anfield faithful have been impressed by Babel’s contribution thus far, often as an impact substitute as he acclimatises to life in English football. Indeed, of his 29 appearances, 16 have come from the bench.

Babel will be hoping for only his sixth Premier League start when Aston Villa visit tonight as Benitez’s side aim to move back into the Champions League qualification places.

But the player himself is the first to admit that, given his tender years, he remains very much a work in progress.

“Benitez told me he had signed me as he wanted to have players available in his squad that are able to round their marker,” says Babel.

“I was told I would be given time to get used to playing games at a high level. I felt reassured for I had taken an important step in my career.

“I realise that people have high expectations of an expensive signing, but I am like a rough diamond that needs polishing.”

The promise has certainly already been evident at Liverpool. His goal against Luton Town in the FA Cup in midweek was his seventh of the season, although tellingly five of those have come as substitute.

Indeed, Babel has not played a full 90 minutes in the league this season for Liverpool as Benitez eases him into the first-team fray.

But the player concedes the intensive demands of the top flight have taken some getting used to.

“I would obviously relish more playing time,” admits Babel.

“I am ambitious and want to play. I am sometimes a bit disappointed not to play, but I appreciate Benitez’s ideas.

“He adopts a rotation policy, I knew that beforehand. He has his own special ideas. He announces his startling XI one hour before kick-off.

He will never give a hint at training whether you start or not.

“But I don’t think it is awkward for me not to be on the pitch for the full 90 minutes. I can’t physically cope with the terrific pace in the Premier League. I invariably face a tall task, even also against the so-called small clubs.

“We play compact as a team and must be on the move constantly, closing down opponents all over the park. I must provide cover for the left-back. But I never shirk my duties any more and nobody will ever catch me napping.”


Babel has always been primed for the biggest stage. Even as a youngster, his career has become a constant hunt to make progress and become a better player, holding special individual sessions with Dutch sprint champion Sammy Monsels, as well as others to work on his technical skills, fitness and even his diet.

This attitude has helped him adapt at Liverpool, but even Babel admits to being taken aback by some of the thorough methods of Benitez and his backroom staff.

“I have learnt in particular how to recover from physically demanding exertions,” he explains.

“They pointed out that I was less fit two days after a match. I should be more careful of what I was doing.

When I was with Ajax, I was hardly ever on the treatment table, always ignoring small pain. These days, the physios can diagnose me the moment I enter their room.

“For example, we must take a bath in ice-cold water. Tough physical training sessions cause sore muscles and cramp and tiny tears. Ice-cold water performs miracles.

“During the pre-season campaign, I was made to take a bath in that ice-cold water all the time.

“At first I could not stand the cold for more than 30 seconds. I even kept on my tracksuit and socks or tried to skip. It was even on my mind when I was training. But now I have got used to it completely.”

Yet for all this preparation, Babel sometimes looks to the supporters for inspiration.

“I have a DVD of the Champions league final that Liverpool won in 2005,” he says. “It is fantastic to watch the fans’ response.”

Babel also adds that all Liverpool players get a DVD each month featuring their own performances and subsequently discuss their findings with Benitez. “It is a great method as it keeps you on your toes,” he says.

Recalling the manner of his move to Anfield, Babel is refreshingly candid in his explanation.

“They had expressed an interest two years ago, but at that time I didn’t have good feelings,” he says. “I didn’t know anything about Liverpool and the club meant hardly anything to me, which was due to sheer ignorance on my part.

This time it was different. Liverpool had reached the Champions League final twice and I was very much impressed by the performances that Steven Gerrard had put in. It would be wonderful to play in the same team with such a star, I thought.

“My agent also told me Liverpool had signed Fernando Torres and I got really interested.”

There was, however, one final lure that persuaded him Liverpool was his ideal next destination.

“I want to win silverware,” says Babel. “That’s why I have joined this great club.”

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