They are tearing the club apart
The Dutch international, 22, has dramatically revealed
an Anfield that is:
Unsettled by managerial mind games.
Fractured by factions among the players.
Hampered by selfish attitudes and
jealousy.
And peppered with petty rules and
regulations.
Now he admitted he wants away in January if things do
not change significantly.
Babel's rap could not have come at a worse moment for
under-seige boss Rafa Benitez ahead of tonight's must-win Champions
League clash at Debrecen. Benitez signed Babel in July 2007 for
£11.5million and the following summer he was voted Liverpool's
Young Player of the Year. But when Babel returned from representing
Holland at the 2008 Olympics that same summer, he revealed things
began to change.
He said: "Isn't it unbelievable that in my first year I
got chosen as Talent of the Year? "And a season later I hardly play
and without getting a proper chance.
"I don't know if it has anything to do with my little
trip to the Olympics - I know the manager wanted me to stay. But I
don't believe Benitez is trying to get back at me. "What I do know
is our manager tests people on how they react to certain
situations." And it is evident Babel struggles to cope with the
ways of the Spaniard.
He added: "Bentitez is not a man who will give you his
trust straightaway. "Benitez is a manager who in certain situations
can do exactly the opposite of what you expect several times.
"Every time me or my agent (Willie Haatrecht) have a chat with him
he stresses I can't leave and he believes in me.
"We have to trust he is telling the truth. Saying it is
different to showing it. We have agreed to look at my situation
during the winter break. "If there's no improvement then, I have to
be honest, I want to play somewhere else. "But until then I will
fight for my position - what else can I do?
"I still want to stay at Liverpool. I just have the
feeling, for many people, I still have to prove myself. "I think
that is unjustified and a pity. I have shown I can do it plenty of
times. I know I could be further in my career but if nobody helps
you, if they don't make it easier for you then it is
difficult.
"It is especially tough mentally. Yet curiously it is
still expected that you break open a match. "If you look at the
statistics I can do that - I have been more important to Liverpool
as a substitute than a regular player.
"Most of the supporters are happy with me because
something happens when I come on as a substitute. "However I want
to show them more but I'm not given the chance.
"In 2½ years with Liverpool I have never started three
matches in a row. "I don't play a lot so I can't be happy and I
can't cheer out loud. "Certain emotions are blocked, they are
pushed back by all the worries I carry with me. And I have my
pride."
Babel has tried to express his hurt and frustration to
Benitez but insisted he received little encouragement. The Dutchman
said: "I have tried to talk to the manager but it isn't of any
use.
"I couldn't really do anything with the feedback
Benitez gave me. "His philosophy is simple - try your hardest in
training and then your chance will come. But sometimes I wonder how
long I can sustain it."
Babel's problems are not just with his manager. He has
also struggled to hit it off with his fellow forwards and tried to
adopt a "selfish" attitude to match his rivals for a starting
place.
Babel, who is injured for tonight's tie, said: "All the
forwards, they always live for their own success. It is hard for
someone who isn't selfish by nature to act selfish.
"I don't know if my team-mates were shocked by my new
character but I do notice once in a while they get confused.
"Normally I would pass the ball - now I take the shot myself more
often. I see how they look at me with a face that says 'Hey I am
free!'
"But I'm not going to explain it any further because
they don't give me any explanation when I ask for the ball." Babel
also hints at cliques off the pitch. He explained: "We have a lot
of different cultures and on the pitch we are a tight group. But
outside the pitch everyone goes their own way.
"The Spanish-speaking guys are very close. The youths
hang out together. And I get along with Benayoun and
Lucas.
"Dirk Kuyt? I don't really hang out with him. Dirk got
accepted in the group of the Spanish-speaking players. "He is very
friendly with them and it looks as if he understands their
jokes."
The winger is clearly upset other players stay ahead of
him in the pecking order - even when their performances do not
merit it. Babel, who has come off the bench 58 times out of his 105
Kop appearances, said: "Many players can play lots of bad matches
and still keep their credits - I can't.
"I believe when you get a chance you should take it and
not let go. Hold on to it - my parents taught me that - and that's
why I don't give up. "The traffic light will turn green some
time."
Blue isn't the colour at Anfield - it is banned because
of its association with city rivals Everton. And Babel finds the
rule petty. He explained: "As a Liverpool player I can't play in my
blue Nike boots. They strongly discourage me from doing
that.
"Blue is Everton's colour and Liverpool and Everton are
rivals in everything. "As a small boy you dream about a career as a
football player. You're willing to give up everything for it. "Once
you reach that goal, only then do you get to know the whole world
around it."
