The most frustrating type of footballer is one who has fantastic natural talent but simply never reaches their potential. Babel fits that category to perfection, and his time at Liverpool left you wondering whether all the support we gave him was worth it. Signed as a hugely exciting 20-year-old from Ajax in the summer of 2007, Babel was being dubbed by some as Liverpool's answer to Thierry Henry. He was extremely fast, physically strong, skilful and possessed a bullet of a shot, and many felt he was exactly what Benitez's team had been lacking in attacking wide areas for some time. The Dutchman just never really delivered, however, and his four years at Anfield were, to be blunt, insipid. Despite featuring regularly- he made 146 appearances in all competitions for the Reds, scoring 22 times- Babel always looked on the fringes of the game, and there were definite question marks about both his work-rate, attitude and general hunger to succeed at the top. Barring the odd memorable strike, Babel simply wasn't worthy the hassle in the end. As is the norm these days for players who have not even come close to reaching their potential, the 27-year-old is now plying his trade in Turkey, for Kasimpasa.
