Babel has been an enormous disappointment since his signing two seasons ago. The player, and his brother who acts as his agent, had tried to engineer a move on loan last January to Ajax which fell through. In May, Benitez was believed to have seen enough and suggested that Ryan could look for pastures new. The lack of funds coming in to the club forced Rafa to keep Babel as cover on the wing and even for up front.
Rafa told Babel he needed to improve his attitude and Babel himself promised to knuckle down and make himself a success at Anfield.
However, only 2 days after the transfer window has shut Ryan Babel has began his disruptive Ajax talk again.
Babel has already been given chances so far this season – named in the starting XI in the defeat to Spurs on the opening day and then providing nothing when he was brought on in the defeat to Aston Villa.
More worryingly for Ryan is the fact that he was dropped from the Liverpool squad that went to face Bolton at the weekend and has also been dropped from the Dutch national side. He has only narrowly gained a minor recall due to injury to one of the Dutch midfielders. With the World Cup looming he clearly thinks rocking the boat and getting a loan move back to Holland will help guarantee his place for Holland in the summer of 2010.
“There have been a lot of things promised, but they haven’t been followed up. I would get to play for more minutes and have more chances, but after the first defeat, I only lost my place.
“I think half a season at Ajax with a view to the World Cup wouldn’t be a bad idea. I can add something to the Ajax squad.
“Loaning me out was not an option (in the summer). Now we have agreed to review the situation in January.
“I see the current situation as a signal that I really have to get playing.”
Ryan Babel has made 75 average appearances with Liverpool since his £11.5M arrival from Ajax in the summer of 2009.