BABEL ADMITS ERRORS

Ryan Babel has conceded his actions were “stupid” when receiving a red card against Benfica, but the Liverpool forward believes referee Jonas Eriksson treated him harshly.

Babel was dismissed after 30 minutes for raising his hands to defender Luisao and Liverpool subsequently squandered a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 at Estadio da Luz in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.

Rafael Benitez was unhappy that Eriksson chose to dismiss Babel despite Luisao clattering Fernando Torres from behind to spark the row, claiming the decision was “difficult to understand”.

Ryan Babel has conceded his actions were “stupid” when receiving a red card against Benfica, but the Liverpool forward believes referee Jonas Eriksson treated him harshly.

Babel was dismissed after 30 minutes for raising his hands to defender Luisao and Liverpool subsequently squandered a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 at Estadio da Luz in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.

Rafael Benitez was unhappy that Eriksson chose to dismiss Babel despite Luisao clattering Fernando Torres from behind to spark the row, claiming the decision was “difficult to understand”.

Liverpool are one of the best europa league bets this season, but almost ended up in trouble when Bable was sent off.

And while Babel believes his behaviour did not warrant a dismissal, he has accepted culpability for the incident and pledged to avoid similar behaviour in future.

“The referee told me the red card was for touching Luisao’s face – that was it,” Babel said. “It was clear that Luisao had made an awful foul and all I wanted to do was back up Fernando.

“Too harsh maybe. In the end maybe it was a stupid, silly thing for me to touch him in the face, but I think a yellow card would have been fair enough. But if they are the rules…

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Play your part in the Fans World Cup! All you need to do is Like your chosen team, and help them win their group by having the most fans!

To support Holland you need to like Holland Fans and then check for updates on the Holland Fans website.

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 THE EXAMPLE FOR MANY

Ryan Babel is beginning the example for many when comes to tweeting their views as Footballer of the year Bernard Brogan is careful about what he says on Twitter.

As one of Gaelic football’s biggest stars Brogan says he is careful about what he says on the social networking website and that you have to show common sense about how you use it.

Ryan Babel is beginning the example for many when comes to tweeting their views as Footballer of the year Bernard Brogan is careful about what he says on Twitter.

As one of Gaelic football’s biggest stars Brogan says he is careful about what he says on the social networking website and that you have to show common sense about how you use it.

Earlier this week TV3 revealed that the GAA are currently drawing up social media guidelines for players and officials. The association are keen to make members aware of the potential pitfalls while having no intention of trying to regulate their use.

Former Liverpool winger Ryan Babel was fined ten thousand pounds sterling after tweeting a mocked up photo of referee Howard Webb in a Manchester United jersey earlier this season. Webb had awarded United a controversial penalty against Liverpool in their FA Cup tie.

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.