Rafa: Babel ready for striking role
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Rafa Benitez says he expects Ryan Babel to play more and more as a striker for Liverpool – but admits he has little intention of including him in the first-team.
The 21-year-old Holland international has spent most of his time on the wing since moving to Anfield last summer, but he can also play up front and showed his potential as a forward when he came off the bench in the 1-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday.
And, after Spain winger Albert Riera joined the club in September, Benitez has revealed that he wants to play Babel as a striker on a regular basis.
“When we signed Albert Riera, we thought of Babel more as a striker,” he told the club’s official website.
“Ryan is still a young player.
“Some Dutch players come to England for only one or two years – in this case, this is his second year and he was injured at the start coming back from the Olympic Games, but he is giving us something more.”
Benitez believes Babel can make the most impact as a substitute for the time being, though, due to his pace, and believes his performance against Chelsea was a perfect example.
“Clearly, there is a massive difference when you are talking about a player with pace – normally their stamina levels are not the same.
“To do the same thing 20 times at maximum intensity, it’s not easy, so they need time to rest.
“For these kind of players to play 90 minutes at this pace and high tempo is impossible. That is the reason why he can make a massive difference in 20 to 30 minutes.”
He added: “I was really pleased with him the other day at Chelsea. I think that was the perfect game for him.
“At that time, we needed pace and power and ability so we could cope with the two centre backs – he could beat them.
“It was perfect and really good for him.”
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that's what you say.
but i also agree that babel should be played as sub.
he's better that way.
supersub i guess? -
May ask how many goals did he scored as a sub?
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last season, during our CL group stages. 6 goals out of 6 matches as sub. this season, he came on, & score against united.
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o that a pro stiker wor 7 goals as a sub
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Good for him, But some how he doesn't look like a Liverpool type of player, he look like he could have done better if he was at Arsenal...
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Originally posted by zocoss:
Good for him, But some how he doesn't look like a Liverpool type of player, he look like he could have done better if he was at Arsenal...
ya, but i don think at arsenal, maybe at tottenham or something like that.
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to me, babel is better than keane; faster & more inventive.
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Who agree Torres is best of the best?
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Originally posted by Scania N113CRB l0v3r:
Who agree Torres is best of the best?
I don't... Because Liverpool seem to have done better without him... And they don't seem to miss him this past few matches... Maybe when he comes back, they may have to change their game to suit him... and they could lose too in doing so... -
Originally posted by zocoss:
I don't... Because Liverpool seem to have done better without him... And they don't seem to miss him this past few matches... Maybe when he comes back, they may have to change their game to suit him... and they could lose too in doing so...My bro say this to mi " When Torres nt around, Kuyt can perform well" U agree?
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babel still needs to mature before he can fully hit his potential i think