Liverpool are not attempting to sell Ryan Babel according to Rafael Benitez, who is adamant that the Dutch winger will be given the chance to establish himself in the first team.
Babel, who joined Liverpool from Ajax in an £11.5 million deal in the summer of 2007, has been repeatedly linked with an exit from Anfield in January having started only three Premier League games under Benitez this season.
With the World Cup finals looming large, Babel had even been quoted as saying he would like to rejoin Ajax on loan in order to further his claims for a place in Bert van Marwijk's 23-man squad that will make the trip to South Africa. However, the player has since declared his loyalty to Liverpool.
Babel was an unused substitute as Liverpool drew 1-1 with Reading in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday evening but Benitez has told the 23-year-old he will have the opportunity to impress and that he will not be sold during the transfer window.
"He will have a chance to play," Benitez said. "He has to work hard for us. He's our player and he will have his chances. At this moment we are not trying to sell him."
Responding to reports that two more Dutch players, Rafael van der Vaart and Ruud van Nistelrooy, could be targets for Liverpool, Benitez only stated that it will be "very, very difficult" to strengthen his squad in January.
