Liverpool Football Club

• Nickname:Reds
• Founded:1892
• Manager:Brendan Rodgers

• Ground:Anfield
• Capacity:45362

Babel thrilled with Reds move

13 Jul 2007 - 13:59:28

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Ryan Babel has described Rafael Benitez as 'like the ideal father-in-law' after sealing his £11.5million move from Ajax to Liverpool.

The Netherlands international forward has put pen to paper on a five-year contract at Anfield and afterwards revealed his admiration for the Reds manager.

The 20-year-old forward had been linked with both the Reds and Arsenal after starring for the Netherlands as they retained the recent European Under-21 championship on home soil.

Babel formed a dynamic partnership with Maceo Rigters - who has already moved to England to join Blackburn Rovers - and was named man of the match after scoring in the 4-1 final victory over Serbia.

"I was in Aruba at the end of last week when I was told to start thinking about Liverpool because a move could happen," he told the club's official website.

"I have met Rafael Benitez and my conversation with him was the moment I knew the deal would get done.

"He is like the ideal father-in-law. He has a lot of football know-how and he told me that I would be challenging with six other players for four positions. I have a good feeling about things.

"I met Dirk Kuyt at training, who I knew from the national team. At that moment he did not feel like a rival but I suppose that is what will happen.

"It was very important how the coach spoke to me, how I would fit in his team. After that conversation I knew it was the right decision."