RYAN BABEL admits he has been “scared” into resurrecting his Liverpool career by the fear of missing out on next summer’s World Cup.

And the Dutch forward is determined to repay the faith of Rafael Benitez and prove he can still be a success at Anfield.

Babel has endured a frustratingly inconsistent time since his much-vaunted arrival from Ajax for £11.5million in July 2007, and has struggled to earn a regular first-team place.

It cost the 22-year-old his place in Holland’s initial squad for the friendly against Japan and World Cup qualifier against Scotland in early September, although he was later called up following an injury to PSV Eindhoven’s Ibrahim Afellay.

Nevertheless, Holland head coach Bert van Marwijk has warned his players they will jeopardise their place on the plane to South Africa should spend much of the season sat on the bench.

And having missed Euro 2008 after tearing ankle ligaments, Babel is desperate not to be absent from another major finals.

“Not being called up by Holland has definitely scared me into doing something,” said the forward. “The Holland coach made a statement that he wants his players playing for their clubs. It’s clear I need to be playing more for Liverpool.

“I’ve realised for myself this has to be the year for me. There’s a World Cup at the end of the season, and my position for the Holland national team is in danger.

“For the first time in 33 games, I wasn’t called up for the national team. That was very scary. It’s clear I have to play a lot of games for Liverpool to earn a ticket to the World Cup.

“It’s all about making the most of my chances in the first team now. The situation for me is clear. This has to be the year for me. I am trying to do whatever it takes to get into the team.

“If I give everything and the situation is still difficult, then you have to be honest with yourself. But I’m still confident that I can be a very important player for Liverpool.”