Tough times: Ryan Babel (right)
Ryan Babel is set to be sold by
Liverpool this summer as Rafa
Benitez attempts to rebuild his squad. The Holland forward has
failed to nail down a regular starting spot at Anfield since his
£11.5million arrival from Ajax two years ago.
Babel has fallen down the pecking order after Benitez signed
Spanish winger Albert Riera and he is now expected to leave at the
end of the season, according to The Times.
The Dutchman has also expressed his frustration at the lack of
opportunities at Liverpool and he may welcome the chance to move
on.
'With this supporting role, I am not happy,' he said. 'I have
had three good talks with the trainer this season in which he
indicated that I could not lose sight of the defensive aspect.
'It is my feeling that I have strongly improved, but still I get
no real chance.' Babel is not the only Liverpool player with
question marks hanging over his future. Italian full-back Andrea
Dossena and Denmark centre-back Daniel Agger, whose contract
expires at the end of next season, may also be sold.
Meanwhile, Benitez has ruled out a summer move for Valencia
forward David Silva. 'Our chief scout, Eduardo Macia, was in
Valencia and was talking with different people from the club, but
someone was talking too much,' revealed the Reds boss.
'So, at this moment, Silva is not a target. He is a good player,
but not our target.'
