[Mighty T.A.L.]

Babel: Rafa has already improved me

Despite only signing for Liverpool last month, Dutch winger Ryan Babel insists Rafael Benitez has already made him a better player.

Babel, who opened his scoring account for the Reds with a goal against Derby County last weekend, admits he was once prone to being influenced by the reaction from opposition crowds - but that problem is now a thing of the past thanks to his new boss.

"Rafa knows everything about me, down to the fine details," the Dutchman said. "Not just about my style of play, but my character too.

"He told me he had watched me play in an away game for Ajax, and it had struck him how easily I was influenced by the crowd.

"He saw how I was struggling when the fans turned against me.

"He could tell from my body language - I had unknowingly let my shoulders drop.

"But he told me that the abuse ought to make me stronger, saying the more the opposing fans swore at me, the more afraid of me they were."

Source: Liverpoolfc.tv: Official Web Site