{"id":485165,"date":"2025-10-09T08:15:12","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T08:15:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/485165\/"},"modified":"2025-10-09T08:15:12","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T08:15:12","slug":"former-liverpool-flop-wishes-hed-played-under-jurgen-klopp-not-rafa-benitez-at-anfield","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/485165\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Liverpool flop wishes he’d played under Jurgen Klopp not Rafa Benitez at Anfield"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Jurgen Klopp is Liverpool\u2019s most successful manager of the 21st century having conquered all before him during almost nine years with the club.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The German is still missed at Anfield, having stepped aside at the end of the 2023\/24 campaign.<\/p>\n

It was not just Klopp<\/a>\u2018s trophy-winning habit or his magnetic personality which so warmed Liverpool<\/a> supporters to him, but the football which his teams played was often exciting and front-footed, too.<\/p>\n

This was in contrast to the only other Liverpool manager<\/a> to win the Champions League since the turn of the millennium: Rafa Benitez<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Benitez\u2019s sides were well-known for their pragmatic, sometimes sterile style of football. This at times stagnated some of the more flair-driven players within his Liverpool squads<\/a>.<\/p>\n

One of those who struggled to come to terms with the Spaniard\u2019s approach was Ryan Babel<\/a>. The Dutch winger failed to spark across three-and-a-half seasons at Anfield<\/a>. But according to Babel himself, his Liverpool career would have been much different under Klopp.<\/p>\n

\"RyanPhoto by Laurence Griffiths\/Getty ImagesRyan Babel wanted to play under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool<\/p>\n

It was not as though forward players did not succeed under Benitez at Liverpool. Fernando Torres\u2019 Reds\u2019 career is proof of that if any was needed.<\/p>\n

However, in terms of wide players, the former Valencia boss clearly preferred hard-working options such as Dirk Kuyt and Albert Riera over those with pace and verve like Babel.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: Ryan Babel left baffled after what he\u2019s seen Liverpool fans say about Arne Slot<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Klopp, by contrast, turned inverted wingers such as Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane into superstars at Anfield.<\/p>\n

In another life, it isn\u2019t too hard to see how Babel could have done the job of Mane under Klopp. Quick, skilful and a terrific finisher, the former Netherlands international could have shone.<\/p>\n

\n

If I played under J\u00fcrgen Klopp back in 2007 \u2013 when I made that move from Ajax to Liverpool at 20 years old\u2026<\/p>\n

man, things could\u2019ve gone so differently.<\/p>\n

But one thing\u2019s for sure<\/p>\n

I gave it my all. \u2764\ufe0f #YNWA<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/PIXOL8Sez9<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ryan Babel (@Ryanbabel) October 8, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

View Tweet<\/p>\n

Babel was also the kind of player who would likely have benefitted from Klopp\u2019s approach to man management. Taking to X on Wednesday, the 38-year-old suggested this would have been the case.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I played under Jurgen Klopp back in 2007 \u2013 when I made that move from Ajax to Liverpool at 20 years old\u2026\u201d Babel wrote. \u201cMan, things could\u2019ve gone so differently. But one thing\u2019s for sure. I gave it my all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jurgen Klopp could have changed Babel\u2019s career<\/p>\n

When Babel arrived at Liverpool in 2007, he did so as one of the most exciting young players in Europe.<\/p>\n

However, the then 20-year-old looked an awkward fit under Benitez right from the start, with the Spanish coach never quite fully trusting his signing.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, Babel scored just 22 goals in 146 appearances for Liverpool. He never managed more than 10 goals in a full season. As a result, fairly or not, he went down as a flop at Anfield.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, there is likely some truth in what he is asserting here. Babel has spoken out about his unhappiness under Benitez<\/a> before, admitting he was not a fan of the way the Champions League winners dealt with his players.<\/p>\n

Klopp was brilliant at making players feel loved under his guidance, and that coupled with a more free-flowing system would likely have got much more out of Babel. <\/p>\n