Van Basten: Babel should have stayed in Holland

By Gregg Davies
published

Former Dutch international player and manager Marco van Basten has hit out at Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez’s treatment of winger Ryan Babel, accusing the Spaniard of committing a "mortal sin."

The former Ajax speedster has featured regularly as a late substitute for the Reds this season, brought on to threaten a tiring opposition with his pace.
 
However, he has rarely figured in the first XI under Benitez - starting just six Premier League matches in 2008/09 and making 17 substitute appearances - and recently revealed following the Merseysiders' epic 4-4 Champions League draw with Chelsea that: “With this supporting role, I am not happy.”

And now the 22-year-old has been backed by Dutch icon Van Basten, who believes Babel should have stayed in Holland playing regularly in the Eredivisie, rather than be left to rot on the bench in England.

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Gregg Davies
Gregg Davies

Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.