Ryan Babel blames broken promises for failed Liverpool spell and insists he has ‘unfinished business’ in the Premier League
The Netherlands international, who could make his Fulham debut against Spurs, moved to Anfield when he was 20 and struggled to adapt to life in England
Broken promises from Liverpool is what Ryan Babel blames for his first spell in England.
The 32-year-old has joined Fulham from Besiktas on a short-term contract until the end of the season and said he has “unfinished business” in the Premier League.
The Netherlands international spent three-and-a-half years at Anfield, having arrived from Ajax in 2007 for £11.5million.
But, being just 20 years old, it was hard for him to develop in England's top flight.
“I wanted to develop well and, as they promised me back then before I joined, just to be given the guidance I needed to improve," he said.
“That didn’t happen and for a lot of different reasons I didn’t fulfil my potential, I guess. I had been living with my parents so it was the first time living abroad and by myself. There are a lot of things coming at you at the same time — different country, different culture.
“I came from Ajax where you play 4-3-3 mostly and as a winger they didn’t want you to defend too far back. In the English game you’re not a winger you’re a left midfielder, so you have to help your full-back.
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“Those were the things that I was struggling with, especially in my first year, and in my opinion I don’t think they taught me how to manage that properly and be smart with situations. I had to find out myself.”
Babel previously claimed he was “badly coached” by Rafa Benitez, the Liverpool boss who signed him, but his situation did not improve when the Spaniard was sacked in 2010.
Kenny Dalglish, who took over at Anfield in 2011, sold him to Hoffenheim and now he has admitted he has a point to prove.
He said: “I guess I feel I’ve done so much in my career but a little part of me feels I still have unfinished business here in the Premier League.
"I think it is a good challenge and I want to take this chance to see how I do now.”
Babel could make his debut for Fulham against Tottenham on Sunday.