Rafa tell potential buyers: Babel is not for sale!
-
Benitez: Liverpool Aren't Looking To Sell Ryan Babel
Reds boss wants to keep hold of Dutch struggler.
Ryan Babel - Liverpool (Getty Images)Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has shrugged aside any doubt over the immediate future of Ryan Babel, who has been widely tipped for a winter transfer.
The 22-year-old attacker has found first-team opportunities hard to come by at Anfield, having shown only glimpses of the raw talent that earned him an £11.5 million move from Ajax in 2007.
The would-be rapper has thus had to settled for a near-permanent bench role, and persisting rumors of his discontent have led to speculation of a move abroad.
Babel's precarious position in the Dutch national team has only fuelled the flames, as he is eager to impress Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk ahead of the 2010 World Cup.
However, Benitez has ruled out the possibility of Babel quitting Merseyside this month, albeit whilst making it plain that the fleet-footed forward must put in more effort on the training track.
"He [Babel] will have a chance to play," said Benitez, according to the BBC.
"He has to work hard. He's our player and he will have his chances. At this moment we are not trying to sell him."
Babel did not feature at all as Liverpool drew 1-1 with Reading in the FA Cup on Saturday. -
I think he badly wants to sell him... He just want others to think he is not for sale then have to offer higher price then he will be willing...
One of the tricks... Hang high high then hope got someone come and take it... Cos if everyone know you want to get rid of him, they won't be willing to offer too good a price also...
-
Looking at his form, or the lack of it, hanging the carrot higher will probably deter prospective buyers, and I secretly feel RB is wanting to cling on to him.