Liverpool legend Alan Kennedy: Ryan Babel must have a run in the team as a centre-forward

EXCLUSIVE
By Neil Jones | Liverpool Correspondent

Liverpool legend Alan Kennedy believes Europa League hero Ryan Babel can be the answer to the Reds’ attacking problems, if he is played as a centre-forward.

Babel picked up only his fourth goal of the campaign in Thursday night’s 3-1 win over Unirea Urziceni, impressing many with his all-round performance. And Kennedy, who won 12 major trophies in seven years at Anfield, told Goal.com UK that the 23-year-old deserves a run of games in which to prove his credentials as a centre-forward.

"Babel is a tough one," said Kennedy, "We all know he is a good player, but he has drifted off the scene of late, and I think people are still not sure of his best position, be it left-midfield or as a centre-forward.

"To me, he looks more comfortable as a centre-forward - he is strong and quick and can cut inside and shoot well on his right foot. Maybe it would be a good idea to give him a run there, take some pressure off David Ngog and see if he can re-establish himself at Liverpool.

"I think Babel himself will be disappointed with some of his performances, but he needs to get his head down, and work hard to prove his quality."

Frustrated | Babel has been on the fringes this term

Babel's struggles over the past 12 months are highlighted by the Castrol Rankings, where he lies a lowly No.1397. Tellingly, he is listed as a midfielder - and is only the seventh most effective of that group at Anfield, according to the rankings.

Fernando Torres' absence has of course played a part in Liverpool's lack of goalscoring prowess. The Spaniard returned against Manchester City after almost six weeks out with a knee problem, but was left on the bench in Bucharest as Liverpool cruised into the Europa League’s last 16, and a tie with French side Lille.

But Kennedy believes that whilst Torres’ return will add plenty of cutting edge, it is the Reds' midfield which needs to start chipping in some goals to help ease the burden on the Spaniard, and says the absence of Yossi Benayoun – who also returned to action this week – will add creativity to the side’s play.

"It has been good to see the defence sorted in recent weeks,” he said, “Rafa Benitez has really got that side of the game sorted. But as a team, they have not been prolific enough compared with last season. I think they have scored just 43 goals this season, and just twelve away from home, so they could certainly do with adding a few more.

"A lot is made of the team relying on Torres, [Dirk] Kuyt and [Steven] Gerrard, but the midfield needs to do its share as well," he said, "The likes of [Javier] Mascherano and Lucas Leiva are doing a good job, but maybe they need to start producing a few more shots and taking some of the burden away from the forwards.

"I think Benayoun has been a big loss. It is good to have him back, he has the creativity to open up games and to score goals himself, and I think without him Liverpool can look a little predictable sometimes."

Benitez's troops are currently embroiled in a four-way battle for fourth after last Sunday's goalless draw with rivals Manchester City, and whilst Kennedy believes Liverpool have what it takes to seal a place in next season's Champions League, he is well aware that City especially pose a long-term threat to the Reds' place amongst English football's elite.

"If you look at Manchester City, they have done pretty well considering the managerial changes they have made," he said, "And you have to say that they are a massive threat to Liverpool, even if I still don't think they are a better side at the moment.

"Roberto Mancini has had a decent start, but the key is that he has the means with which to go out and buy better players. Whether Liverpool are able to do that remains to be seen."