Benitez fear over Babel's Beijing dream

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) — Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has warned Dutch winger Ryan Babel that playing in the Beijing Olympics could wreck his first-team prospects.

Babel has returned from an ankle injury faster than expected and is now in contention for a place in Holland's Olympic squad for the Games in August.

If the 21-year-old is selected he will miss the start of the Premier League season as well as the Champions League qualifiers. Benitez believes that could damage Babel's chances of becoming a key player at Anfield.

"Obviously, we are really pleased that Ryan is coming back to training because he is an important player for us and he has worked hard to recover from the injury he suffered with Holland," Benitez said.

"But we are really...