Benitez is a Babel basher
-
RAFA BENITEZ has hit back at Ryan Babel and told him: Stop moaning and prove yourself.
Last week Babel accused the Liverpool boss of breaking promises of increased first-team action, claiming it was wrecking his dream of making Holland's World Cup squad.
But last night Benitez took a swipe of his own and ordered the Dutchman to stick to doing his talking on the pitch.
Spanish winger Albert Riera has also complained about his lack of chances - and the pair have been given both barrels by the Kop boss.
Benitez blasted: "Albert and Ryan both want to play, and because they play in the same position - and have to compete with each other - that is good for us. But the message is very simple. On the pitch all the players have to prove something."
Babel was even pressing for a loan move back to Ajax. But Benitez added: "Ryan knows he cannot go now, so he has to impress. He is a good player and we know he has talent.
"It's important for us to see how he progresses over these months. "With the World Cup at the end of the year, the majority of our players will want to impress and if they do well in each training session they will have more chances."