Soccer:Liverpool forward Ryan Babel is focused on trying to prove his worth to manager Roy Hodgson and is ignoring yet more speculation about his future, though the manager has not ruled out a move for the Dutch international.
A transfer window does not go by without Babel being linked with a move away from Anfield but after a chat with Hodgson he’s looking forward to the challenge of a new season at Anfield.
The €12 million signing from Ajax in July 2007 is keen to succeed in a role he feels he is more suited to - even though the Reds boss still wants to bring in another striker before the close of the transfer window.
"I spoke with him at the beginning [of the season] about this. It is positive," Babel said. "He promised me already I will play up front when he plays me so that is what I am focusing on.
"Every player has a preferred position but wherever the manager plays me I will do my best.
"I see myself as a winger and also a centre-forward but every player wants to play.
"Maybe it will be good for me with the competition (from any prospective new signing)."
Hodgson, however, has not ruled out a move for Babel and has admitted he may leave if another striker comes in.
"There are clubs who want Ryan Babel and who knows what might happen in the next two days?" said the Liverpool manager. "I can't make bold statements but if Ryan is here at the end of the transfer window then I'm looking to use him in that striking position.
"That is where he thinks he is best and there is no reason for me to doubt him.
"I don't know enough about him to have a strong opinion one way but he has qualities you can use as a striker."
Nor is the manager dismissing the notion of selling Lucas Leiva, though he thinks it unlikely. He would entertain a significant bid for the Brazil international, whose first-team place is under threat after Raul Meireles' €13 million switch to Anfield over the weekend.
The rumour mill has linked Lucas with a shock move to Liverpool's Premier League rivals Stoke, who are keen to bolster their first-team squad before the transfer window closes But Hodgson insists he is not planning to offload the 23-year-old midfielder, who struggled to get a foothold in Sunday's 1-0 victory over West Brom.
"If someone came in and offered us £20 million for him and he wants to go we would consider it but it is a bit late in the day, that's for sure," said the Reds boss. "I'm not anxious to be getting rid of any players this late in the day.
"I'm certainly not looking to move anyone out now because if they are moved out now the chance are they won't be replaced because the transfer window is nearly closed."