The £14M Player We Shouldn't Sell & It's Now or Never For Ryan

As the weather outside my office summarises our performances and luck as of late, I am sat here with a major headache. They say when it rains, it pours. That is exactly what seems to be happening to our club in term of injuries at the moment. News has spread that Fabio Aurelio has had to pull out of the Brazil squad due to an injury, meaning he will join the likes of Reira, Benny, Johnson, Gerrard and Torres on the ever expanding injury list. - I suspect if injuries were something you could actually touch, then there's no doubt that it would be a domino; Stood by itself a single domino never seems to fall, it's only when it is placed next to other domino's that it decides to topple and ruin everything you have worked so hard to build. This is known as the domino effect.

One player who will be looking to capitalise on these injuries will be Ryan Babel. Our number 19 has never really been able to hold down a regular starting place in his time at the club, but with the absence of so many players, now is the time for him to lace his boots and show his worth. Rio impressed against Lyon when he came on as a sub and made an impact by scoring an absolute belter. But like so many times, Ryan frustrates, for every time he shows his class, he also shows that he lacks consistency. After scoring such a screamer, his confidence was high, perhaps a little too high. He sliced a free kick wide for a throw in, before working a great one-two with benny and dragging his shot wide. We all know the Dutchman is able to hit a ball, hard, but this in turn is his downfall. Babel seem's intent in popping the ball every time he shoots, sometimes though, it calls for a little more subtlety.

In an interview with LFC magazine, Alan Hanson spoke about it being the perfect time for Babel to stake his claim for his position. Hanson said:

Babel has got all the talent in the world. He's got the pace, the strength and the feet to be a top, top player, but he needs to make use of those attributes on a more consistent basis." 
 
"I have to cite the fact that he's only 22 - it's not as if he's 26," Hansen added.
 
"As far as talent and ability are concerned, Babel should be a regular in the Liverpool side because we need a player with qualities on the flanks.
 
"That will not happen, though, unless Ryan performs to the best of his ability, and contributes more goals like his wonder-strike against Lyon on a more consistent basis." 

That hit's the nail right on the head. Ryan is young, so is still learning his trade, but he needs to start using his brain when it comes to certain situations. We know he can hit the ball hard, but that does nobody any good if it doesn't hit the target, we know he is very quick, but again, does nobody any good by running in straight lines. Now is the time Babel must show a level of maturity in order to be taken seriously. Like Beethoven said, "sieze faith by the throat".

Next, onto the £14M midfielder we simply cannot afford to sell. I'm talking about Lucas Leiva. While many may have sprayed their computer screens with tea after reading that valuation, I totally agree with it. In a current climate where players are being sold for 30, 40, 60 and even 80mil, it is no surpise that Lucas fully warrants his price tag, although some would disagree:

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez wants an amazing £14 million for Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva - and plans to keep him despite needing to sell players.

The Kop chief has been approached by a couple of top European sides who hoped to exploit the Anfield cash problems by landing Lucas in a bargain deal.

However, hard-line Benitez wants the stunning sum for the 22-year-old who splits opinions among Liverpool fans but is always solidly backed by his manager.

Benitez knows he must move out players in January to bring in cash to strengthen his squad - but his sky-high valuation suggests Lucas is not one of those he will sacrifice.

Lucas has been a regular in the Liverpool side this season and even the arrival of Alberto Aquilani will not mean he is surplus to requirements.

The Brazilian will be watched by some of his admirers against England, but Benitez is steadfastly holding on to him.

The thing about these type of article is that; you could give one million monkeys typewriters, and after an eternity they would eventually have written Shakespeare. However, you give one monkey a broken pencil and a piece of scrap paper, after 15 minutes he would write a negative anti Liverpool thread such as the ones we read on a day to day basis.

Why should it not be justified that Rafa values Lucas at such high price? Lucas will become a huge part of the Liverpool team in years to come and if you are asking me, it's smart business to put high prices on players. You want what we got, then you pay what we want. Simple as. - Back to the real matter.

Lucas has been judged at every twist and turn. He has been poked at and pitched to the wolves on countless occassions, but eventually, after 18 months his hard work has paid off. He is a first team regular and a £14M player. Well done Mr Leiva.

Lastly today, I leave you with a picture I stumbled accross. It is none other than our very own Superman, Dirk Kuyt. Till tomorrow. Walk on, with hope in your heart.