Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez believes Ryan Babel is capable of being more than just an impact player.
Reds boss has faith in Dutch starlet
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez believes Ryan Babel is capable of being more than just an impact player.
The flying Dutch winger has taken his time to adjust to life in the Premier League following his move from Ajax last summer.
He has displayed, in glimpses, the ability which brought him to the Reds' attention, but needs to add consistency to his array of talents.
At only 21-years-old time is still on his side and Benitez is confident the prodigious youngster will prove to be a shrewd acquisition for the Anfield outfit.
Technical
"You need to remember that Dutch players coming to England with great quality have always needed time," Benitez told the club's
official website.
"Robin van Persie and Dennis Bergkamp also needed time (when they joined Arsenal). The leagues are totally different.
"The Dutch league is very technical and you have two or three teams that are very good.
"Every game is about getting the ball, keeping the ball and playing nice football.
"Here it is harder, though Babel has played some fantastic games for us. So we still have a lot of confidence he can progress, but now he has to work hard on defence and learn how to challenge players.
"He has done well as an impact player, which is not easy when you are young, but we think he can do more than that for us."
Improving
Babel has netted eight times after stepping off the bench, seeing him close on legendary super-sub David Fairclough's club record of 18.
However, Benitez insists he would be happy if his Dutch starlet never made it past the 1970s hero.
"Our view of Ryan is a player who starts games and has an impact from the beginning, not just as a sub," added the Spaniard.
"But first of all he has to improve tactically and we are working with him on that.
"He is the kind of player who can change games and he has done that when coming from the bench.
"Now we want him to start games and change them."
