Babel came off the bench at West Ham United a fortnight to create the winner for Fernando Torres, before starting the Carling Cup win at Leeds United and scoring twice as substitute against Hull City on Saturday.

He also made a late cameo in the midweek Champions League defeat at Fiorentina and is pressing his claims for a start at Chelsea on Sunday.

“It was good to play more or less 90 minutes against Leeds, that has given me a boost,” said Babel. “I’m working hard in training and hopefully it’s just a matter of a time that I get more chances. I will have to be mentally strong. I had a similar situation at Ajax, and I learned a lot from that. I have to be patient.”

Babel’s contribution at Upton Park earned praise from Torres, and the Dutchman is grateful for such support.

“I am finding that a lot of people still believe in me,” he added. “It gives me the confidence to carry on and believe in myself and them, and work hard for them.

“The manager believes in me, and the supporters believe in me too. Sometimes players have a doubt over whether supporters believe in them, but if I speak for myself, I still feel the supporters believe in me and that I can make it at Liverpool. I want to pay back that faith.”