Liverpool forward Ryan Babel appears to be on a collision course with boss Rafael Benitez after once again going public with his frustrations.
First, even before the manager’s pre-match press conference today, the Dutch international revealed on his Twitter page that he had been dropped from the squad to face Stoke tomorrow.
Benitez brushed aside that breach of dressing room confidentiality by saying he could not stop people talking.
However, Babel subsequently continued his complaints by questioning Benitez’s selection policy regarding him.
“It is disappointing news. The boss left me out [of] the squad. No explanation,” Babel initially told his Twitter feed.
Benitez, who confirmed the Dutchman was not in tomorrow’s squad, was philosophical in his response.
“When you have problems everyone has a different reaction,” said the Spaniard. “Everyone has a Twitter. It’s impossible to stop people talking. It’s not like in the past.”
However, Babel was not finished and later added on Twitter: “What happened after a first good season? Scoring ten goals, being young talent of the year, and then second and this season don’t play at all?
“I never had a fight with the manager. I always kept quiet. Where did it go wrong. You have people who support me and don’t support me and one day, you will see what I’m capable of. Will it be at LFC or somewhere else? I have faith.”
Babel has continued to frustrate since his move from Ajax in 2007 as he has failed to consistently apply the talent he has.
This season he has been something of a disruptive influence and even with Fernando Torres (knee), Steven Gerrard (hamstring) and Yossi Benayoun (rib) all injured Benitez has left him out of the squad to face Stoke.
The Liverpool boss has recently stated he did not want to sell Babel and the club have already turned down a bid from Birmingham.
However, should an acceptable offer come in Benitez is likely to cash in as he desperately needs funds to re-invest in his underachieving squad.
Babel is not the first player to use Twitter to voice his frustrations.
Striker Darren Bent went public with his unhappiness at Tottenham — and unwillingness to accept a transfer to Stoke — prior to his summer move to Sunderland.