PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW: Diamond in the rough set to sparkle on biggest stage

Jan 21 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

“We play compact as a team and must be on the move constantly, closing down opponents all over the park. I must provide cover for the left-back. But I never shirk my duties any more and nobody will ever catch me napping.”

Babel has always been primed for the biggest stage. Even as a youngster, his career has become a constant hunt to make progress and become a better player, holding special individual sessions with Dutch sprint champion Sammy Monsels, as well as others to work on his technical skills, fitness and even his diet.

This attitude has helped him adapt at Liverpool, but even Babel admits to being taken aback by some of the thorough methods of Benitez and his backroom staff.

“I have learnt in particular how to recover from physically demanding exertions,” he explains.

“They pointed out that I was less fit two days after a match. I should be more careful of what I was doing.

When I was with Ajax, I was hardly ever on the treatment table, always ignoring small pain. These days, the physios can diagnose me the moment I enter their room.

“For example, we must take a bath in ice-cold water. Tough physical training sessions cause sore muscles and cramp and tiny tears. Ice-cold water performs miracles.

“During the pre-season campaign, I was made to take a bath in that ice-cold water all the time.

“At first I could not stand the cold for more than 30 seconds. I even kept on my tracksuit and socks or tried to skip. It was even on my mind when I was training. But now I have got used to it completely.”

Yet for all this preparation, Babel sometimes looks to the supporters for inspiration.

“I have a DVD of the Champions league final that Liverpool won in 2005,” he says. “It is fantastic to watch the fans’ response.”

Babel also adds that all Liverpool players get a DVD each month featuring their own performances and subsequently discuss their findings with Benitez. “It is a great method as it keeps you on your toes,” he says.

Recalling the manner of his move to Anfield, Babel is refreshingly candid in his explanation.

“They had expressed an interest two years ago, but at that time I didn’t have good feelings,” he says. “I didn’t know anything about Liverpool and the club meant hardly anything to me, which was due to sheer ignorance on my part.

This time it was different. Liverpool had reached the Champions League final twice and I was very much impressed by the performances that Steven Gerrard had put in. It would be wonderful to play in the same team with such a star, I thought.

“My agent also told me Liverpool had signed Fernando Torres and I got really interested.”

There was, however, one final lure that persuaded him Liverpool was his ideal next destination.

“I want to win silverware,” says Babel. “That’s why I have joined this great club.”