Source: Daily_Mail
Liverpool's Ryan Babel ready to fulfill his potential by finally being deployed as a striker
Ryan Babel is finally ready to fulfill his potential at Liverpool after being given reassurances by manager Roy Hodgson that he will deployed in his preferred striking role.[LNB]Rafa Benitez pulled off quite the coup when he he lured then 20-year-old Babel to Anfield in 2007. The flying Dutchman had excelled for his country in their Under-21 European Championship triumph and moved to Merseyside for £11.5m from Ajax.[LNB]However under the Spaniard Babel was rarely played as the main striker due to the form of Fernando Torres, instead operating in wide areas where he was unable to make an impact.[LNB] Flying Dutchman: Ryan Babel is ready to embrace life on Merseyside after a difficult couple of years[LNB]Now, though, he wants to put a difficult spell behind him and embrace life under Hodgson who has already shown faith in the Holland international.[LNB]'The manager has told me he would like to use me up front more than normal, so hopefully that will give me enough chance to show how much I like that position,' Babel told Liverpoolfc.tv.[LNB]'It's clear when a new manager comes in, everyone's chances are equalagain with others. It is positive for me and maybe everybody who was ina difficult situation.[LNB]Leading the line: Babel has had reassurances from Roy Hodgson that he will play in his preferred role[LNB]'I hope this is a chance for me to establish myself, but the first test for me is to work hard in every training session and try to show what I can do. In the end, it is the manager's decision if he uses me or not.[LNB]'The only thing you ask for as a player is for a fair chance, then you know what you can do. There are different opinions about what a fair chance is. [LNB]'Some people will say one game or 15 minutes is a fair chance, but I think every player needs a couple of games in a row to get used to the players and the pace of the game to adapt and show what they can do. That is the same for me.[LNB]'I am very confident and positive - I feel well and have been training well. Hopefully it is just a matter of time before I can get some confidence back to finally show everybody what I can do.'[LNB]Babel's confidence was enhanced by his winning performance through the middle in the first leg of last month's Europa League qualifier against Trabzonspor. [LNB]Yet he also appreciates that while Torres is at the club he will have to show patience. [LNB]'I have always said my ambition was to play in [as a striker], but at the same time I am very realistic,' he continued.[LNB]'Fernando is very important for the club and he will always be our No 9, but you know you can also be very important for the club too if you are used well.[LNB]'It will be a long season and we will need every player. Hopefully I can give the confidence and the trust back to the club that they have shown in me.'[LNB] Carragher insists Hodgson has no need to buy more strikers at LiverpoolLiverpool make late Cole bid as Babel is offered to West Ham and SpursLiverpool striker crisis bites as Ngog hamstring injury leaves Hodgson shortLIVERPOOL FC
