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Craig HillIt's Benayoun, Babel and Brilliant!
July 14th 2007 04:31
Our triple B's, Babel Benitez Benayoun
I just knew it. Signings are flowing, and look who we got, Benayoun and Babel!
I guess many people will be familiar with Benayoun, as he played for West Ham several seasons already. I always thought he is a good player, so I don't mind we sign him. I saw him play just a few times, but from what I saw and what I read, he should be a good signing. Benayoun earned himself quite a name for his effort in West Ham, and you don't get recognised without doing a good job, do you?
And what I think will get Liverpool fans more excited is definitely the signing of Ryan Babel of Ajax. This youngster impresses in Holland also Europe with under-21Championship. He is fast and furious, and is already regarded by Dutch legend Marco Van Basten as the new Henry!
I thought it's quite funny. From forums that I went, many of the fans were always craving for a Henry. And then Henry signed for Barca. While it seems that the hope has lost, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as it helps to convince Babel to join Liverpool, who is then claimed as the Henry-in-the-making!
Babel has spoken before of his intention to join Arsenal. And similar to Walcott, I guess Babel also wants to learn things from Henry, one of the best strikers in the world. Henry gone, then probably not as much interesting as before, and Liverpool's offer came, the decision was easier.
I guess there's a little doubt in Babel as to whether he would develop in Liverpool under Rafa's rotation style. Admittedly, we weren't the attacking style team in the past few seasons under Rafa, so I can understand his concern. But I believe things are going to change now. With the players that we have acquired so far, it seems to me Rafa is about to make Liverpool football a lot more attractive.
We have signed winger Leto (from Argentina), midfielder Leiva (from Brazil), strikers Torres and Voronin, and now Babel Benayoun. All of them are attacking players, with exception to perhaps Leiva a defensive midfielder (but, still, a brazilian midfielder, you know what they are good at). I said before that our weakness is in attacking, and clearly Rafa is doing exactly what he needs to solve that problem.
In my opinion, weak in attacking means that you can only play effective rather than attractive football. That's why we seemed to be relatively defensive and not adventurous on previous seasons. But now with the ammunition well loaded, things can only get better. Maybe not totally attacking football ala Arsenal yet, but certainly we will be more adventurous. Thus, Babel should be assured that he is going to develop into a world class player under Rafa and hopefully really is the new Henry!
With so many signings, the worry is whether everyone will get proper chance to shine. But it seems like that's not a problem for Rafa. And he said "You always want two players in each position and we are now really close to this situation."
It makes me think, is there more to come?
YNWA.
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Comment by charles
ZCars
Ponderous
I'm looking forward to seeing him in action this coming season!
Charles.