Liverpool have been rocked by news that Ryan Babel is threatening to quit the club in the January transfer window.
The Dutch international is sidelined for tonight's must-win clash with Debrecen in the Champions League after he picked up an ankle injury against Manchester City at the weekend; but that has not stopped the winger going on record about his frustration about life at Anfield.
To read Click Liverpool's preview of tonight's match visit: http://www.clickliverpool.com/sport/liverpool-fc/126958-preview-debrecen-v-liverpool-fc.html
Babel, 22, has accused manager Rafael Benitez of misleading him and refusing to acknowledge his efforts in attempting to break into the first team .
He said: “I have tried to talk to the manager but it isn't of any use.
“I couldn't really do anything with the feedback Benitez gave me.
“His philosophy is simple – try your hardest in training and then your chance will come. But sometimes I wonder how long I can sustain it.
“Many players can play lots of bad matches and still keep their credits – I can't.
“Benitez is not a man who will give you his trust straight away. Benitez is a manager who in certain situations can do exactly the opposite of what you expect several times.
“Every time me or my agent (Willie Haatrecht) have a chat with him he stresses I can't leave and he believes in me.
“We have to trust he is telling the truth. Saying it is different to showing it. We have agreed to look at my situation during the winter break. If there's no improvement then, I have to be honest, I want to play somewhere else.
“I still want to stay at Liverpool. I just have the feeling, for many people, I still have to prove myself.
“I think that is unjustified and a pity. I have shown I can do it plenty of times. I know I could be further in my career but if nobody helps you, if they don't make it easier for you then it is difficult.
“In two-and-a-half years with Liverpool I have never started three matches in a row.”
Babel, who arrived at the club in the summer of 2007 from Ajax for £11.5 million, has also slammed his Anfield team mates who he accuses of being selfish.
“All the forwards, they always live for their own success. It is hard for someone who isn't selfish by nature to act selfish,” he added.
“I don't know if my team-mates were shocked by my new character but I do notice once in a while they get confused.
“Normally I would pass the ball – now I take the shot myself more often. I see how they look at me with a face that says; 'Hey I am free!'
“But I'm not going to explain it any further because they don't give me any explanation when I ask for the ball.
“We have a lot of different cultures and on the pitch we are a tight group. But outside the pitch everyone goes their own way.
“The Spanish-speaking guys are very close. The youths hang out together. And I get along with Benayoun and Lucas.
“Dirk Kuyt? I don't really hang out with him. Dirk got accepted in the group of the Spanish-speaking players. He is very friendly with them and it looks as if he understands their jokes.”
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