Ryan Babel
Ryan Babel profile

Date of Birth

19 Dec 1986

Birthplace

Amsterdam

Nationality

Dutch

Signed for LFC

2007

LFC Debut

11 Aug 2007

LFC Appearances

146

LFC Goals

22

Profile

 

Ryan Babel scored 22 goals in 146 appearances for Liverpool between 2007 and 2011.

Brought to the club by Rafael Benitez for a fee of more than £10 million, big things were expected from the Ajax prodigy after he helped Holland win the 2007 Euro U21 Championships.

Despite enjoying many picturebook moments in a red shirt, the forward was used more as an impact player by both Benitez and his successor Roy Hodgson.

Kenny Dalglish then sold the Dutchman within two weeks of taking the reins once more in January 2011.

Babel made his competitive debut for Liverpool wearing the No.19 shirt against Aston Villa on August 11, 2007 and scored his first goal against Derby County the following month.

His most memorable strikes thereafter included a cheeky flick with his instep against Besiktas in 2007, a winner against Manchester United in 2008 and a 25-yard beauty versus Lyon in 2009.

He also played his part in historic European nights, scoring in our decisive 4-0 win over Marseille in 2007-08 and in the subsequent quarter-final win over Arsenal.

Babel's time at Anfield was also notable for his use of the social networking site Twitter, which earned the wrath of both Benitez and the FA on separate occasions.

On 18 January Liverpool agreed a fee for Babel with TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.

 

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