Investigating Liverpool Winger Ryan Babel: What Went Wrong & The Solution

One of the main disappointments this campaign has been Dutch forward Ryan Babel.

Purchased from Ajax in July of 2007, Babel was unveiled with new fellow teammate Yossi Benayoun.

Although arguable, it can be said that the latter of those has had a better Liverpool career so far.

My investigation will seek to answer a simple question: Where did Babel's career get off track and how (if?) it can be fixed.

Although never quite reaching a Messi or Ronaldo status during his youth, Babel still showed lots of promise. His campaigns for Ajax showed glimpses of a great footballer to be. Liverpool noticed, and Babel soon joined the ranks of the Reds.

In his first year in the Premier League, Babel scored 10 goals in all competitions, and was duly awarded the 2007–2008 Liverpool FC Young Player of the Season. Babel showed pace, class, fast feet, and a good shot.

Anfield's imagination soared, and questions whether Babel was Liverpool's next great player were raised.

Thus, high hopes for the 2008-09 campaign. So far, Babel has only managed to find the net on three occasions, and finds it hard to hold on to a starting 11 position.

Now, the infamous question is asked: Why?

I believe that a large reason in Babel's downfall can be put on Benitez's shoulders.

So often in the modern game a manager feels the need to play a player out of his position. This happens even if the manager can see the player can't work there. Cough cough, Rijkard and Henry. As proved time and time again, this doesn't work. Especially if we look at the fact that Babel is put on the left, even though he is right—footed.

That's why I ask, Benitez, for the sake of Babel, Liverpool, and the Premier League, play Babel as striker. It truly would be a shame it this young footballers career was wasted, since he's only 22.

I propose this formation—

Babel - Torres

Riera - Gerrard - Benayoun

Mascherano

Insua - Carragher - Skrtel - Arbeloa

Reina

I believe that if given a chance, Torres and Babel could really flourish. Babel would roam around Torres, supplying him with a sneaky pass, taking it down the line and crossing, or even shooting from afar.

This is how the Drogba and Anelka partnership is supposed to work on paper. Anelka is the roaming creative striker, while Drogba is the stationary target man, who gets the ball and scores. That hasn't worked like it's supposed to though.

However, back to Liverpool.

Riera and Benayoun would patrol the wings, while Gerrard would be the creative attack down the center.

As always, Mascherano would protect the defense line, which itself is the same.

As some of you might note, this would leave out Kuyt and Alonso. I don't believe Kuyt, being the hardworking man that he is, would be missed too much. Kuyt is a good player, but he just lacks the pace or the scoring that Babel can deliver. 

However, Alonso's expert passing, the occasional goal, and simple, yet effective style of play are not to be underestimated. If the rotation policy that Benitez has implemented would still be in effect, Alonso would switch in for Mascherano, or if needed for an injured Gerrard.

Occasionally, Mascherano can be put to right-back if needed, for a center midfield pairing of Gerrard and Alonso, while switching to a 4-4-2.

Kuyt could be subbed in for Benyoun, or for an injured Torres or Babel.

Edited: My formation is too narrow! Thanks for Mick for pointing this out! Thats why another idea might be a 4-3-2-1 "Christmas Tree" Formation. It would function like this - 

Torres

Babel-Gerrard

Riera - Mascherano - Alsonso

Insua - Carragher - Skrtel - Arbelloa

Another good idea, Torres working alone, Babel and Gerrard the supportive creative force. Again, thanks to Mick.

That's my solution to the Babel "problem". However, what I mainly ask is Benitez, please, play Babel. I am not Babel's largest fan, or a relative, however I can see that Babel can become a scoring talent.

What do you think? Would my proposition work? Should Babel be given a fair chance as a forward? What do you think is the solution to Babel's situation?

Comment!