Source: PA
Babel wants to prove his worth
Liverpool forward Ryan Babel is focused on trying to prove his worth to manager Roy Hodgson and is ignoring yet more speculation about his future.
A transfer window does not go by without the Holland international being linked with a move away from Anfield. Last January, after a fall-out with former boss Rafael Benitez, it seemed the 23-year-old's Liverpool career was coming to an end despite the club rejecting a bid from Birmingham.
However, after a heart-to-heart with Benitez the Dutchman was given a second chance. With the Spaniard's departure in the summer Babel began the season with a clean slate and despite it being suggested on Sunday he could be the makeweight in a move for West Ham striker Carlton Cole the player is keen to remain at Anfield.
Hodgson has said he is interested in seeing whether Babel can provide the necessary back-up to striker Fernando Torres, having spent the majority of his Liverpool career on the left wing.
For his part the £10.5million signing from Ajax in July 2007 is keen to succeed in a role he feels he is more suited to - even though the Reds boss still wants to bring in another striker before the close of the transfer window.
"I spoke with him at the beginning [of the season] about this. It is positive," Babel told Press Association Sport. "He promised me already I will play up front when he plays me so that is what I am focusing on. Every player has a preferred position but wherever the manager plays me I will do my best."
