RYAN BABEL is edging closer to the Anfield exit after launching an astonishing attack on manager Rafa Benitez and his team-mates.
The Dutchman, who misses tonight’s Champions League clash with Debrecen due to injury, insists Benitez is partly to blame for his failure to make the grade in the Premier League.
And the 22-year-old claims his progress has been hampered by the “selfish” attitude of some Reds stars.
Babel’s comments look set to be the final nail in his Liverpool career with Benitez likely to offload the under-achieving winger during the January transfer window.
“I have tried to talk to the manager but it isn't of any use,” Babel said.
“I couldn't really do anything with the feedback Benitez gave me.
“His philosophy is simple – try your hardest in training and then your chance will come. But sometimes I wonder how long I can sustain it.
“Many players can play lots of bad matches and still keep their credits – I can't.
“Benitez is not a man who will give you his trust straightaway. Benitez is a manager who in certain situations can do exactly the opposite of what you expect several times.
“Every time me or my agent (Willie Haatrecht) have a chat with him he stresses I can't leave and he believes in me.
“We have to trust he is telling the truth. Saying it is different to showing it. We have agreed to look at my situation during the winter break. If there's no improvement then, I have to be honest, I want to play somewhere else.
“I still want to stay at Liverpool. I just have the feeling, for many people, I still have to prove myself.
“I think that is unjustified and a pity. I have shown I can do it plenty of times. I know I could be further in my career but if nobody helps you, if they don't make it easier for you then it is difficult.
“In 2½ years with Liverpool I have never started three matches in a row.”
Babel, who has come off the bench 58 times out of his 105 Liverpool appearances, was also critical of his Anfield team-mates.
“All the forwards, they always live for their own success. It is hard for someone who isn't selfish by nature to act selfish,” he said.
“I don't know if my team-mates were shocked by my new character but I do notice once in a while they get confused.
“Normally I would pass the ball – now I take the shot myself more often. I see how they look at me with a face that says; 'Hey I am free!'
“But I'm not going to explain it any further because they don't give me any explanation when I ask for the ball.
“We have a lot of different cultures and on the pitch we are a tight group. But outside the pitch everyone goes their own way.
“The Spanish-speaking guys are very close. The youths hang out together. And I get along with Benayoun and Lucas.
“Dirk Kuyt? I don't really hang out with him. Dirk got accepted in the group of the Spanish-speaking players. He is very friendly with them and it looks as if he understands their jokes.”
Babel signed for £11.5million from Ajax in the summer of 2007 but after a promising first season, when he was voted Liverpool's Young Player of the Year, he has regularly failed to impress.
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