Liverpool winger Ryan Babel believes he can become even better than his idol Thierry Henry.
Dutchman eyes striking switch at Anfield
Liverpool winger Ryan Babel believes he can become even better than his idol Thierry Henry.
Babel, who scored Liverpool's fourth goal in their midweek UEFA Champions League victory over Arsenal, says he can emulate Henry's success by reverting from a winger to a striker.
The Dutch international has shown glimpses of his undoubted quality at Anfield this season since his big-money move from Ajax last summer.
Babel has been likened to Barcelona star Henry by Holland coach Marco van Basten and the 21-year-old says he is hoping to convince Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez to utilise him in a forward role.
"Henry is an idol for me," Babel told
The Mirror.
"I used to watch a lot of him on TV because he plays up front and I like to look at how he plays and what kind of decisions he makes at key moments.
"Like me, he started also as a winger before he joined Arsenal. Benitez knows I like to play up front though, and hopefully one day he will give me the chance to play there and for me to focus on my favourite position.
"I'm trying to do the same as Henry by moving from winger to play inside.
Improve
"I try to improve my game so hopefully one day I'll be the same or maybe even better than the level Henry reached.
"I hope to give the manager another choice upfront and even after training I spend half an hour practising something extra such as my finishing or control to reach that level."
Babel admitted the Liverpool players are focused on winning the Champions League to make up for another disappointing Premier League campaign.
Focus
"Our focus is on the Champions League," added Babel. "The title's not possible and we must try to end up in the top four instead. It's disappointing as a lot of people expected a great deal of Liverpool this year but we haven't improved on the last few years.
"If we win the Champions League though, then for a lot of fans the season would be good. But if at the end we have nothing it would be very disappointing."
