Marco van Basten believes Liverpool's Ryan Babel has lost confidence and has begun to fall backwards since his arrival at Anfield.

The former Holland coach believes Rafael Benitez needs to show more faith in the 22-year old.

"If you look at Ryan Babel it is a mortal sin he now sits on the bench at Liverpool," he said in the Daily Star Sunday.

"He went too soon.

"He was playing well in Holland and for the Under-21s but now he has taken a step backwards."