The imbroglio of Ryan Babel’s Liverpool career continues to twist and turn this week, with reports stating that Benitez is willing to sell the Dutchman whilst quotes emanate from the player’s camp which seem to suggest that no transfer is on the cards whatsoever. My opinion on Babel changes by the day; I’d say that around 80% of Liverpool fans would be happy to see the back of him this summer. I flit between this crowd and the other 20%, one minute disgusted at how bad he’s been this season (and with how little effort he seems to be have been putting in), the next remembering how much promise he showed on arriving at the club, his brilliant athleticism, how highly-rated he is (or was, back then) by a certain Marco van Basten.
Whilst I think that the van Basten quotes have now been done to death, there’s no doubt that Babel has something about him as a player. With clubs like Arsenal and Tottenham apparently raising their eyebrows at his potential availability, the real worry is that he leaves Anfield at a cut price and subsequently goes on to become a Premiership superstar at one of our rivals. I would hate that. The thing is, Babel began this season with fragile confidence and has only gone on to make error after error, bad pass after bad pass, gradually chipping away at his self belief with a sharp pick-axe. When he came on for Torres against West Brom and missed a sitter from 12 yards out, I feared that he would never recover as a footballer, genuinely. I’m sure he’s made of tougher stuff than that but that the thought even crossed my mind is telling.
In his first season, I was Babel’s biggest fan. He showed glimpses of pace and agility, with finishing skills and a terrific right foot to boot. He scored quite a few goals and set some up. Even this season he provided a superb left-foot assist against Real Madrid, with Gerrard storming through the middle to stick the perfectly-weighted cross into the top corner. But sometimes he’s just looked hopeless, lacking in composure and unsure of what Benitez wants him to do. I actually think he’s terrified of Benitez because of the fear that if he makes one mistake, the coach will sub him or not play him for another month. Benitez’s words of support for the striker-cum-winger have dried up, and the Spaniard’s icy silence on the future of Babel indicates a well of patience running low. It really is a vicious circle, and one which both the coach and the player have to work to break if their working relationship is to bear any fruit.
But Babel isn’t really the main worry for the boss this summer. At a time when one good signing could make us Champions next year, there is also the scent of caution looming large over Merseyside. Everybody remembers Houllier’s disastrous ventures into the transfer market at the precise time in his reign when everybody was predicting we would push on to win the title. And whilst I don’t think anybody believes Rafa to be capable of bringing in clangers like Diao, Diouf and Cheyrou in the next few months, nobody is quite sure what to make of the media’s reporting of our coach’s plans.
There are nerves mainly about Xabi Alonso. This time last year, I was ready to see him leave the club. That was despite paying £150 for a signed Alonso shirt at a charity auction during his first season, the shirt he was wearing when Frank Lampard slid in and broke his ankle. The cruel irony, which of course I could not know at the time, is that it was this foot injury which would see Xabi slip into the horrific guise of a mediocre player for well over one and a half years. Everything about the Spanish playmaker changed, from the way he struck the ball to his gait when he didn’t have it. His passes were short, his (always-present) lack of pace was all the more obvious, his head was down. He looked half the player we thought we’d bought in 2004. Teams didn’t fear him anymore the way they did in his first season. With Juventus ready to bring him in, it was time for a change.
Barry was the clear choice to replace him - an England international with versatility and bags of experience, despite only being 28. But something happened to Alonso over the course of last summer, something monumental, and, at risk of sounding corny, something quite poetic. He was hurt at Benitez’s willingness to send him on his way, having been seen as part of the Benitez ‘core’ from early on in Rafa’s reign. He was probably stung that he wasn’t first choice for a triumphant Spain team at the European Championships. He was probably worried that Juventus and Arsenal were the only clubs in for him, and even then they weren’t willing to give us more than £15 million. Whatever happened to his psyche over those long, uncertain summer days, Xabi Alonso underwent a sea-change which breathed fresh life into a stalling Benitez team and provided momentum for the campaign ahead.
It has been Alonso at the heart of our team this season. Forget Torres and Gerrard for a moment (I know they’re vital), and consider that they were injured for long spells. If Gerrard is Liverpool’s engine, and Carra our heart, then Alonso has to be considered our brains. But it’s a brain with braun, guile and hard work at its centre. With Mascherano intercepting, tackling and generally bullying opposition players who are twice his size, Alonso uses the space provided by his partner to create a samba rhythm, a tempo which then runs through the rest of the team. When he doesn’t play, it really upsets the balance of the XI. There is no rhythm or cleverness in the middle, just the running and steady passing of Lucas and Mascherano. Balls don’t get sprayed out to the flanks so often, opposition teams aren’t stretched so much. We just aren’t the same team without Alonso. He has become a better player than he ever was in his first season, and surely now one of the top ten midfielders in world football.
And yet his future is also unsure. He is keeping his mouth shut in the media, doing little to comfort us and persuade us of his dedication and commitment to the cause. Benitez is saying things like “We don’t want to sell Xabi, that is clear” - and we all know that a quote like that from Rafa means nothing other than “We may have to sell Xabi if an offer comes in and he asks to leave.” Perhaps this is Alonso’s way of punishing the manager for showing so little faith in his ability last summer: Sod you, I’m off to Spain or Italy, enjoy the rain Rafa. Maybe he’s just had enough of Liverpool, or thinks the Benitez project is going nowhere.
Obviously none of us know what’s going through Xabi’s mind right now. But his performances against Newcastle and Tottenham towards the end of the season only confirmed that he’s the player responsible for making Anfield a great place to watch quality football again. Barry pails in comparison to him. If we sell Alonso, we won’t win the league for years.
So Benitez has a job on his hands. He’s got to deal with the Dutch £11.5 million protege he invested in and juggle the task of keeping Xabi sweet whilst looking at possible replacements and other squad re-inforcements. What to do with Dossena, Degen, Lucas, Leto, El Zhar? Do we need a back-up striker in case of (probable) injury to Torres? Do we need a new centre back in light of Sami’s departure? Is Tevez the right man, or is it Silva? Is Glen Johnson worth £5 million let alone £15?
It’s going to be an interesting summer; whether Rafa gets it right or not will ultimately decide who takes home the Premier League trophy next May.
good article, i have lost faith in babel, he just hasn’t delivered on his promise. Alonso is a class act and i hope to god he stays a red
The following players showed loads of promise when they came to LFC:
1. Pennant (7m of wasted talent on the bench - off on a free! Why are Athletico, Wigan, Real and a couple of Italian teams chasing him?)
2. Crouch (forged into the top scoring English squad player was used as a substitute towards the end - once even bringing him on in the added time! Must have been degrading. Arsenal and Tottenham are linked. This season 11 goals)
3. Reira (Loads of promise, is now fading slowly away…why????)
4. Cisse (Despite breaking both legs still plays like a lion - this season with Sunderland 10 goals)
5. Babel (Came in with a thunder, suddenly his appearances became more of a token…why??? Probably all top clubs would jump at the chance to sign him!)
I think it is a matter of not having the right structure to manage talent, how many youngsters have made it through? Only Insua seems a good shot and probably Leto should he get the permission.
Did any watch the FA Youth cup final? There is an abyss between our youths and Arsenal’s. By abyss I really mean it!
What about Alonso we nearly got rid of him! Yet we buy the likes of Dossena. Dossena is good for the Italian league but awfully slow for the premiership.
John, what a brilliant article. Waking in the wee hours of the morning to watch all but 4 games this season on TV in Australia has been very rewarding, and of course very frustrating with all those draws we played out. Xabi for me was our best player by far. Gerrard with his flash of brilliance and finishing will win him the accolades, but like you said if there is no Xabi and Gerrard is pushed back to fill his role, then there is no Liverpool either. If we sell Xabi and go for the 20 year old as a replacement, we may as well wave the white flag now, as a 20 year old is not going to have the strength, both mental and physical to win us the premiership from the centre of the pitch. It has taken Lucas 3 years to come to terms with UK football and is still a long way off a permanent starting role. The blend of Masch, Xabi & Stevie G will win us the league (fingers crossed).
Good article, i agree to some extent about babel. i feel benitez should have much more faith in him because he is clearly a highly talented player who is still young, if babel goes it will be a big shame and an opportunity missed. i feel there is no way liverpool can afford to lose alonso, he has been class this season. every game that he didnt play in was much different to those that he did. sell dossena, benayoun, riera, arbeloa, kuyt……. we need a decent right back, left and right wing and tevez would do perfectly with torres
Even in Euro, Alonso was brilliant for whatever time he played. I think Euro was the turning point for him.
His performance against Greece where he lead the side was simply superb
sell. lucus, babel, leto, voronin, itnadge, hobbs, astravajvic, degen, cavalerli, dossena, get out pennant of the wage bill too.
at the lowest value coming back from the above player sales that close to net return of 25 mill, add that to rafas 25mill( so reported 25 only) by the owners thats a net spend of 45 mill.
id buy silva, lorente, srna, pranjic
I agree with you on Alonso’s form. He has been near to our player of the season. I think that when he came back in 2005 Champions League campaign he made a difference from the 1/4 finals we had many players coming back at that time (from injury) in coincided with Liverpool getting to the final.
The ‘reserve’ players should now come through. Insua has shown that he is more than good enough for the first team.
Babel needs playing time and confdence. I still think he can becme a great player. Playing time is essntial.
As for transfers : Valbuena is no longer in Marseille’s plans (Deschamps has excluded him).
Silva and Villa would make the difference.
It would be like deja vue : re : Barnes, Beardsley and Aldo in Silva, Villa and Torres.
Fine Article.
Babel to stay as he was awesome against the best young talent Eurpe could offer a few years ago.
Though I must agree with other contributors, we need to get rid of Lucas ,(or 50 pence as we call him. Every time he plays I eff and blind. 50p in the swear jar dad), Dossena, Degen, Pennant, Kuyt, Voronin and the rest of the overpaid scrap who take the wages under false pretences.
‘Rod the Red’, you consider Kuyt to be ‘overpaid scrap, …. taking wages under false pretences’? Is this same Kuyt we are talking, who has scored more goal than Rooney and has been one of our players of the season? You are a little deluded my friend.
Nice article by the way, I just hope the Babel comes good.
Rod the Red- get rid of Kuyt????
He is one of the most consistent performers, a tally of 8 goals and 12 assists in the league this season speaks for itself. I won’t begin to speak of his work rate, versatility and international pedigree.
keeping alonso and indeed mascherano will be the most important things done this summer we have to keep our best midfield intact and hopefully play it together more often ie dont put in the reserves against the weaker teams when i look at whats on our bench lucas babel ngog i have to wonder 1) would they get a game with any of the other premier league teams and 2) is there not some kid in the reserves / youths at least as good who would deserve one chance in comparison to the countless chances they get and they never impress.
personally id play insua more next year, if not all the time, it looks like johnson will be right back , agger carragher skrtel centre back ( 2 of 3 ) obviously , our best midfield riera alonso mascherano and one new face gerrard and torres
so in terms of transfers we need a wide midfielder / winger and a striker to allow for injuries to torress or to partner him and allow gerrard to play in middle
personally i think most of the names we are being linked with or that are on peoples wishlist wont fit into our system and i cant see any big superstar signings
kuyt and beny really pushed us on at the end of the season. kuyt was superb how can anyone knock him. ………fools
Babel has to go. Does not have strong mentality and manager seems unwilling to mollycoddle him (although some players need this and Rafas seems unwilling to do so, on the surface). He needs a new team/manager.
Alonso awesome this season. Covered more of the park than any other player this season if stats are to be believed. Do not apply sensible thinking to uncertainty about his future. Rafa can be extremely cold-blooded (bloody-minded?) at times. It is a virtual certainty if Real offered 35 million notes for him Rafa would sell him.
Reina does not cut it for me, but give him another season to make the position his own.
Gerrard - our most influential player, BUT he really irritates me at times. I have also refused to sing his name for quite a while……I will not say anymore as I am saving my thoughts for a future article.
Rafa needs to put faith in Ryan and play him more
But playing Babel regularly (which is what Ryan needs) is perhaps too adventurous for the Spaniard.
Babel should emerge this season and here is the definitive discussion on the matter
I’m an arsenal fan and I wrote this about Liverpool being favourites for the title
So cheer up!
Unfortunately Alonso is gone and I am afraid we will have to wait for some more years to win the league again… It’s really sad…