UPDATE 5:50p ET: Ryan Babel is moving to Bundesliga club Hoffenheim.
Although speculation on whether Ajax striker Luis Suarez will join Liverpool still remains rampant, the BBC reports that midfielder Ryan Babel is staying with the club.
The speedy Dutchman recently rejected a £5.8 million transfer to Hoffenheim, a move that would have cleared some space for Suarez. Now, according to manager Kenny Dalglish, Babel will be wearing red for the foreseeable future.
“He’s staying here,” Dalglish said of the young Dutchman.
Babel has been somewhat of a bust since his 12 million acquisition from Ajax in 2007. This season has been especially tough, leading to longstanding rumors of an exit. Through nine games played, he has but one goal and has seen few first team opportunities.
Unless Babel’s form improves dramatically and he begins to accrue regular first-team football, it still would seem likely that he will leave Anfield sooner rather than later, perhaps in the summer.
