Fernando Torres scored his second successive Anfield hat-trick this week as Liverpool cranked up the pressure on Everton and Aston Villa in the race for fourth place in the EPL.
At just 23 years of age, Torres has taken to English football like a duck to water. Many were skeptical, observing his goalscoring record for Atletico Madrid, where he averaged 12-15 goals a season, with cynicism.
33 games and 24 goals later, Torres has silenced all but the harshest critics. Some, unbelievably, still contend that he only scores against weaker opposition—ignoring his goals against Chelsea, Marseille, and Porto.
This also ignores the fact so many other strikers fail to score any where near as frequently against even the weakest opposition.
While Liverpool fans lick their lips at the thought of Torres getting even better—it is after all only his first season in English football, and his first season in the Champions League—his fellow flyer Ryan Babel has made fewer headlines.
That is, until recently. Babel has started six successive games on the Liverpool left flank, and his performance in the recent win at Bolton earned him much praise from all media sources.
Babel has eight goals in his debut season, a decent return for a player who has frequently been substituted. The game at Bolton was his first 90 minutes for Liverpool, and while he has often frustrated, at just 21 years of age, there is much more to come from the former Ajaz whizz kid.
If you compare Babel to the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo (six goals in his debut Manchester United season, although just 18) and Robin Van Persie (11 goals in his debut Arsenal season at 21), it is clear that Babel has made a respectable impact. Liverpool fans will expect a rapid rise over the next few seasons.
Liverpool may have had a very up and down season, on and off the pitch. As takeover talk continues to surround the club, there are at least two reasons to be very optimistic about the future.
Babel and Torres may well turn out to be two of the best signings the club has made since the legendary John Barnes and Peter Beardsley joined the club in the summer of 1987.
11 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Andrew McNair about 1 year ago
Great article Simon. Torres is a terrific player and most of us were watchin him at Atletico running La Liga 5 years ago already.
As for Babel I'm not totally convinced just yet, but as you said he often gets subbed and I never saw his performance at Bolton.
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Paul Kelly about 1 year ago
I wish Fergie has bagged Torres. He's been awesome this season. As for Babel, also class player although I think he could have had more playing time
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Matt S about 1 year ago
Torres is top drawer – there’s no doubt about that now, Spain could have one hell of a shout at the Euros with him up top and Fabregas pulling the strings.
Babel has done well with his limited opportunities. He’s said he sees himself as a better player when played through the middle but I’ve yet to see him be used there. Is Rafa right to play him out wide or should he give him a go through the middle?
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Simon Williams about 1 year ago
I think Babel is a player who you will see in a variety of positions. I would describe him as an attacker, meaning he can play wide on both sides or in the centre.
As for his 'best' position, does he have to have one? Does Cristiano Ronaldo have a 'best' position? I don't think he does, he best position is just on the pitch! lol
Babel is totally one footed (right) yet has played most of his career on the left of a front 3, so I don't see am as being pigeonholed in one position. Long term, he may play more games centrally, but I think it is enough that he is improving his all round play.
Generally I think people expect far too much from young players, not everyone can be a Messi, or a Rooney, and just look like a real player from the moment they go on the pitch. Others have to work on their game, and Rafa is always full of praise for Babel's attitude off the field. I think he will be a massive force for Liverpool in the coming years, but like most young players, he needs time.
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Simon Williams about 1 year ago
I think Babel is a player who you will see in a variety of positions. I would describe him as an attacker, meaning he can play wide on both sides or in the centre.
As for his 'best' position, does he have to have one? Does Cristiano Ronaldo have a 'best' position? I don't think he does, he best position is just on the pitch! lol
Babel is totally one footed (right) yet has played most of his career on the left of a front 3, so I don't see am as being pigeonholed in one position. Long term, he may play more games centrally, but I think it is enough that he is improving his all round play.
Generally I think people expect far too much from young players, not everyone can be a Messi, or a Rooney, and just look like a real player from the moment they go on the pitch. Others have to work on their game, and Rafa is always full of praise for Babel's attitude off the field. I think he will be a massive force for Liverpool in the coming years, but like most young players, he needs time.
Edit Comment Cancel
Simon Williams about 1 year ago
I think Babel is a player who you will see in a variety of positions. I would describe him as an attacker, meaning he can play wide on both sides or in the centre.
As for his 'best' position, does he have to have one? Does Cristiano Ronaldo have a 'best' position? I don't think he does, he best position is just on the pitch! lol
Babel is totally one footed (right) yet has played most of his career on the left of a front 3, so I don't see am as being pigeonholed in one position. Long term, he may play more games centrally, but I think it is enough that he is improving his all round play.
Generally I think people expect far too much from young players, not everyone can be a Messi, or a Rooney, and just look like a real player from the moment they go on the pitch. Others have to work on their game, and Rafa is always full of praise for Babel's attitude off the field. I think he will be a massive force for Liverpool in the coming years, but like most young players, he needs time.
Edit Comment Cancel
Simon Williams about 1 year ago
I think Babel is a player who you will see in a variety of positions. I would describe him as an attacker, meaning he can play wide on both sides or in the centre.
As for his 'best' position, does he have to have one? Does Cristiano Ronaldo have a 'best' position? I don't think he does, he best position is just on the pitch! lol
Babel is totally one footed (right) yet has played most of his career on the left of a front 3, so I don't see am as being pigeonholed in one position. Long term, he may play more games centrally, but I think it is enough that he is improving his all round play.
Generally I think people expect far too much from young players, not everyone can be a Messi, or a Rooney, and just look like a real player from the moment they go on the pitch. Others have to work on their game, and Rafa is always full of praise for Babel's attitude off the field. I think he will be a massive force for Liverpool in the coming years, but like most young players, he needs time.
Edit Comment Cancel
Simon Williams about 1 year ago
I think Babel is a player who you will see in a variety of positions. I would describe him as an attacker, meaning he can play wide on both sides or in the centre.
As for his 'best' position, does he have to have one? Does Cristiano Ronaldo have a 'best' position? I don't think he does, he best position is just on the pitch! lol
Babel is totally one footed (right) yet has played most of his career on the left of a front 3, so I don't see am as being pigeonholed in one position. Long term, he may play more games centrally, but I think it is enough that he is improving his all round play.
Generally I think people expect far too much from young players, not everyone can be a Messi, or a Rooney, and just look like a real player from the moment they go on the pitch. Others have to work on their game, and Rafa is always full of praise for Babel's attitude off the field. I think he will be a massive force for Liverpool in the coming years, but like most young players, he needs time.
Edit Comment Cancel
Simon Williams about 1 year ago
I think Babel is a player who you will see in a variety of positions. I would describe him as an attacker, meaning he can play wide on both sides or in the centre.
As for his 'best' position, does he have to have one? Does Cristiano Ronaldo have a 'best' position? I don't think he does, he best position is just on the pitch! lol
Babel is totally one footed (right) yet has played most of his career on the left of a front 3, so I don't see am as being pigeonholed in one position. Long term, he may play more games centrally, but I think it is enough that he is improving his all round play.
Generally I think people expect far too much from young players, not everyone can be a Messi, or a Rooney, and just look like a real player from the moment they go on the pitch. Others have to work on their game, and Rafa is always full of praise for Babel's attitude off the field. I think he will be a massive force for Liverpool in the coming years, but like most young players, he needs time.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
thanks for not posting 7 times, 6 was enough. Anyway, great article.
Rooney is sooooo fuckin overrated.
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Arjun Sinha about 1 year ago
Good Read. Torres is a FANTASTIC buy, but I'm not a great fan of Babel .. yet. He still has a long way to go and adapt to the English game. But its really sad that Liverpool doesn't have a first choice left winger and have to start with a player destined to play as a striker in the near future. Kewell was supposed to play that role, but he's been a disappointment the entire season.
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