BIRMINGHAM BABEL LINK

Birmingham have reignited their interest in Ryan Babel. McLeish tried to buy Babel in January when Rafael Benitez was in charge of Liverpool – but was priced out by the Spaniard.

Things are very different now at Anfield though. Firstly, Roy Hodgson is in charge but more importantly the Reds are in deep financial trouble and McLeish plans to try again, according to the Daily Star.

Ryan Babel struggled to make an impact during Benitez’s tenure and was largely reduced to watching the club’s season crumble from the bench.

Birmingham have reignited their interest in Ryan Babel. McLeish tried to buy Babel in January when Rafael Benitez was in charge of Liverpool – but was priced out by the Spaniard.

Things are very different now at Anfield though. Firstly, Roy Hodgson is in charge but more importantly the Reds are in deep financial trouble and McLeish plans to try again, according to the Daily Star.

Ryan Babel struggled to make an impact during Benitez’s tenure and was largely reduced to watching the club’s season crumble from the bench.

Hodgson has yet to reveal his plans for the Dutch striker although he did say just after taking over as coach that he hoped for minimal exits from Anfield.

BABEL SWAP DEAL?

Talented youngster Ryan Babel could be swapped for another Dutchman, Klaas Jan Huntelaar according to transfer rumours. Huntelaar has been spotted in the Liverpool Hospitality Tickets.

Huntelaar recently has seemed more and more distant from AC Milan. He was not with his team at Milanello, which further implies that the striker is planning to make a switch from Rossoneri.

Talented youngster Ryan Babel could be swapped for another Dutchman, Klaas Jan Huntelaar according to transfer rumours. Huntelaar has been spotted in the Liverpool Hospitality Tickets.

Huntelaar recently has seemed more and more distant from AC Milan. He was not with his team at Milanello, which further implies that the striker is planning to make a switch from Rossoneri.

Reports have suggested that if the deal tends to happen then Liverpool would be sure to add Ryan Babel as a part of it as the striker would be replacing him and after a disappointing previous season the Reds will be looking for a good chance to get rid of him.

BABEL WANTS FANS RESPECT

Ryan Babel has issued a statement saying that he wants the respect of liverpool fans and is prepared to work hard for that. The Dutchman has revealed manager Roy Hodgson wants him to lead the line under his reign with 23-year-old Babel likely to be handed a starting role in tomorrow’s Europa League tie at home to Steaua Bucharest.

The former Ajax man admits he still has many doubters amongst the Liverpool faithful but promises to establish himself as a Kop favourite with consistent performances.

Ryan Babel has issued a statement saying that he wants the respect of liverpool fans and is prepared to work hard for that. The Dutchman has revealed manager Roy Hodgson wants him to lead the line under his reign with 23-year-old Babel likely to be handed a starting role in tomorrow’s Europa League tie at home to Steaua Bucharest.

The former Ajax man admits he still has many doubters amongst the Liverpool faithful but promises to establish himself as a Kop favourite with consistent performances.

Ryan Babel has vowed to prove his worth to the new man in charge at Anfield by working his Football Boots off in training and then seizing his chances on the pitch.

BABEL SWAP DEAL

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is continuing to monitor the form of Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez in regards to a January move.

The Ajax star has been in superb form in Holland with reports from the Dutch press suggesting a swap deal with Liverpool, involving Ryan Babel and £5m will see the creative star move to Anfield.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is continuing to monitor the form of Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez in regards to a January move.

The Ajax star has been in superb form in Holland with reports from the Dutch press suggesting a swap deal with Liverpool, involving Ryan Babel and £5m will see the creative star move to Anfield.

Suarez has been playing in Holland for the past three and a bit seasons and has consistently scored goals whether playing on the flanks or just behind the main striker. Last season was his best tally so far after scoring 22 goals in 31 league appearances (30 starts).

Will he get a start for Liverpool? Let us know your thoughts.

BABEL: BETTER THAN JOHN BARNES

Just when you thought the ghost of the Anfield Rap had finally been laid to rest – step forward Ryan Babel.

The Dutch international has teamed up with UK rap star Sway to record a track on his upcoming album.

Sway revealed, “Ryan Babel is a sick rapper. The way he flips his flow is marvellous, so I wanted him to do a bit – half Dutch, half British, and he really pulled it off. I think it’s a track that people are gonna like.”

He might have failed to get his Anfield career rocking, but by the sounds of it, John Barnes has finally met his match!

Just when you thought the ghost of the Anfield Rap had finally been laid to rest – step forward Ryan Babel.

The Dutch international has teamed up with UK rap star Sway to record a track on his upcoming album.

Sway revealed, “Ryan Babel is a sick rapper. The way he flips his flow is marvellous, so I wanted him to do a bit – half Dutch, half British, and he really pulled it off. I think it’s a track that people are gonna like.”

He might have failed to get his Anfield career rocking, but by the sounds of it, John Barnes has finally met his match!

BABEL GETS DUTCH CALL

Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel have been called up to the Holland squad for the forthcoming international friendly against England.

Yes that’s right, just as we’re settled and ready to kick-off the new Premier League season, there’s an international there to throw the spanner in the works.

Kuyt and Babel join Arsenal’s Robin van Persie and Manchester City’s Nigel de Jong in Bert van Marwijk for the friendly on August 12th.

Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson are expected to be called up by Fabio Capello to represent England.

Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel have been called up to the Holland squad for the forthcoming international friendly against England.

Yes that’s right, just as we’re settled and ready to kick-off the new Premier League season, there’s an international there to throw the spanner in the works.

Kuyt and Babel join Arsenal’s Robin van Persie and Manchester City’s Nigel de Jong in Bert van Marwijk for the friendly on August 12th.

Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson are expected to be called up by Fabio Capello to represent England.

BABEL INJURY SCARE

Ryan Babel’s dream of going to the World Cup with the Netherlands could be seriously compromised by a right hamstring injury, the AP have reported.

As yet there has been no word of the gravity of the problem currently suffered by the 23-year-old, who has had a difficult campaign with club side Liverpool, struggling to gain regular first team minutes.

Ryan Babel’s dream of going to the World Cup with the Netherlands could be seriously compromised by a right hamstring injury, the AP have reported.

As yet there has been no word of the gravity of the problem currently suffered by the 23-year-old, who has had a difficult campaign with club side Liverpool, struggling to gain regular first team minutes.

With 37 caps already to his name, Babel has been a regular member of the international setup for around three years and was likely to head to South Africa, though coach Bert van Marwijk must trim his provisional squad of 30 down to just 23. Doubtless he will take physical condition into account, and Babel’s latest set-back is sure to count against him in the final reckoning.

JOHNSON MAY STAY

Glen Johnson’s contract with Liverpool is entering its final year and rumors started building up linking him with Real Madrid as the Spanish club could make a move for the 29 years old defender when his contract expires.

Brendan Rodgers will be releasing some of his players that have high wages and Johnson is one of them and it was believed that was going to be one of the players which will be seeing their way out of Liverpool at the end of the season and considering that the former Chelsea player has been hampered with injuries, the rumor of him leaving the club was becoming very plausible but Rodgers recently revealed that he wants to keep Glen Johnson for the time being.

Glen Johnson’s contract with Liverpool is entering its final year and rumors started building up linking him with Real Madrid as the Spanish club could make a move for the 29 years old defender when his contract expires.

Brendan Rodgers will be releasing some of his players that have high wages and Johnson is one of them and it was believed that was going to be one of the players which will be seeing their way out of Liverpool at the end of the season and considering that the former Chelsea player has been hampered with injuries, the rumor of him leaving the club was becoming very plausible but Rodgers recently revealed that he wants to keep Glen Johnson for the time being.

Rodgers said: “We want to keep Glen here There is no question about that, especially now he’s in this form. He’s 29 and we feel that he has still got good years ahead of him. No contracts will be looked at until the summer but his will be a priority for us, especially if he continues in the form that he’s in.

“The beauty of this is we want to keep Glen and Glen loves it here. We just need to find a solution which is good for both. If we can do that then the club will have a very good player for years to come.”

Glen Johnson made his move from Portsmouth to Liverpool back in 2009 and with a transfer fee of €17 million, it was a bargain price for the player who is the undisputed right-back of Liverpool and even though injuries have taken a toll on him, he still remains being one of the top choices in the defence of the club.

Babel joins Johnson

This must be an ecstatic time for the Liverpool players and fans and Twitter surely knows that. Thanks to the club’s recent fantastic 3-2 win over Fulham, the club members have rushed to the famous social networking site only to fill it with tons of congratulatory remarks & compliments.

Among the many tweets complimenting Liverpool for its Fulham win at the famous Craven Cottage, some of the most interesting are those sent by Ryan Babel & Glen Johnson.

The erstwhile Liverpool forward Babel who is well aware about all the late victories at the same venue sent a congratulatory tweet for his old club- Babel’s tweet has complimented the triumph as “great win”.

This must be an ecstatic time for the Liverpool players and fans and Twitter surely knows that. Thanks to the club’s recent fantastic 3-2 win over Fulham, the club members have rushed to the famous social networking site only to fill it with tons of congratulatory remarks & compliments.

Among the many tweets complimenting Liverpool for its Fulham win at the famous Craven Cottage, some of the most interesting are those sent by Ryan Babel & Glen Johnson.

The erstwhile Liverpool forward Babel who is well aware about all the late victories at the same venue sent a congratulatory tweet for his old club- Babel’s tweet has complimented the triumph as “great win”.

The Liverpool defender Johnson is all in praise for his team-mates. “Wow! It sounded much like a prtty close match! Massive 3 points”, ran his tweet. “Well done guys!”

Sturridge drew the Liverpool level post Toure’s (Kolo) own goal, prior to the cancellation of Richardson’s 2nd half strike by Coutinho. It left Gerrard to come up with an unforgettable triumph in the injury time.

Piers Morgan, the celebrity fan for Arsenal tweeted- “Liverpool would finish over us since they are armed with amazing strikers & an awesome captain.”

According to the tweet from England legend Linekar (Gary), Gerrard has achieved more than mere 3 points. “Steven clinches victory & 1st spot on MOTD New/ 2nd Tot/ then Ars/ Manchester United & Sto/Swa, which is followed by the last night game.”
Neil Mellor, the former Liverpool striker praises Reds post a very resilient display. His tweet shows as “Amazing results to bounce back by trailing twice & take a huge three points this late!!”

Erstwhile Liverpool defender Heggem (Vegard) is all content to find every player in the team actively participating in securing the win. “Great team spirit”, displayed Heggem’s tweet. “Great to see the unused subs coming up with honest and real support & enthusiasm. Won’t find that everywhere.”

AJAX HERO BACKS BARCA

Barcelona spent a huge amount of money in trying to bring Neymar and they were ultimately successful to be competitors like Real Madrid for his signature. It has been reported that they have spent close to € 87 million in securing Neymar from Brazil.

He has been extremely good for the club in the opening half of the season and it has helped Barcelona go top of the table – albeit on goal difference. Neymar has already scored 11 goals and created 10 more in just 26 appearances for the club. He has now been compared with former Barcelona great Johan Cruyff by midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

Barcelona spent a huge amount of money in trying to bring Neymar and they were ultimately successful to be competitors like Real Madrid for his signature. It has been reported that they have spent close to € 87 million in securing Neymar from Brazil.

He has been extremely good for the club in the opening half of the season and it has helped Barcelona go top of the table – albeit on goal difference. Neymar has already scored 11 goals and created 10 more in just 26 appearances for the club. He has now been compared with former Barcelona great Johan Cruyff by midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

The former Arsenal man says that Neymar is very much similar to Cruyff because he plays with the same guile and composure that the Dutchman showed during his time at the club. Cruyff went on to be recognised as some of the greatest players ever and Fabregas reckons that Neymar can follow in his footsteps. The 21-year-old is currently on the sidelines after being injured in a recent match. He is expected to return to first-team action just in time for the Champions league clash with Manchester City.

Cruyff spent five seasons at Barcelona, while he also returned to the club as a manager. Until now, he has been involved in the Barcelona board because leaving due to ideology clashes.
“He reminds me of Cruyff. I never got to see him play live, but Cruyff had an incredible change of rhythm, like [Neymar]. He starts fast, slows down suddenly, then starts again with a lot of speed. I also remember him having the same speed when driving [forward],” said Fabregas.

Fabregas himself has been brilliant for Barca this season. After being linked with Manchester United throughout this summer, he has been an ever present for Gerardo Martino’s team.