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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.