Liverpool stunner: Babel lifts lid on cliques, selfish attitudes

Ryan Babel has lifted the lid on the cliques and attitudes that prevail inside the Liverpool dressing room.

The Dutch ace is out of tonight's Champions League tie at Debrecen due to injury, but his quotes in today's Sun newspaper could still have an influence.

The Dutchman 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."

Babel's problems are not just with his manager.

He has also struggled to hit it off with his fellow forwards and tried to adopt a "selfish" attitude to match his rivals for a starting place.

Babel said: "All the forwards, they always live for their own success. It is hard for someone who isn't selfish by nature to act selfish.

"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."

Babel also hints at cliques off the pitch. He explained: "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."