[quote author=StevieM link=topic=35604.msg938824#msg938824 date=1252090304]
[quote author=LeTallecWiz link=topic=35604.msg938400#msg938400 date=1252040919]
Well there you have it Stevie ... If you cannot establish yourself on 11 starts a year, then you cannot play for Liverpool. Simple as really.
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Co,e on Wiz. There's a reason that he's started so few games, and it isn't because Benitez has treated him poorly.
We all know he plays better as an impact sub, because working his balles off and concentrating hard hard for upwards of 45 minutes just isn't his style.
Unlike Ryan, I think Babel has the talent... I just think he hasn't the mentality or desire to suceed at a top club.
It f**ks me off because I expected... and we needed... more from him.
I'd sell him in a heartbeat for anything over 8m and settle for the gaping hole left in the squad....
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It's fair in some instances to say that he hasn't had a run, the problem being that that's not really a viable option at a big club, you at least have to show a willingness to work hard and show yourself even when things aren't going well.
The problem with Babel has always been his confidence letting him down, he'd come on, fuck up and that'd be it: game over. Much like Heskey, when he used to come on and his first touch would be a poor one, you know he'd have a shit game. It's psychological, though obviously he does lack game intelligence too and he lacks an 'arm around the shoulder' manager in Benitez.
At this level you have to really sieze opportunities when you're a young player. Maybe Rafa felt he had to justify himself more with Kuyt after fucking up so badly with Morientes, who knows? But when Babel has come into a game and made a big impact, he's often been rewarded with a start in the next match, only to allow inconsistency to rear it's ugly head.
It's tough and under different circumstances maybe another manager or club could have afforded to be more indullgent with him, but he's doing himself no favours here, it sounds like he's given up, which we always knew was on the cards.