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BABEL: WHY COLD WATER IS HELPING ME THRIVE
Paul Eaton 26 March 2008
Ryan Babel has today revealed how an ice cold bath has helped him make a red hot start to his Anfield career. The in-form Dutch winger is preparing for this weekend's crunch Merseyside derby having started nine of the last ten games for the Reds as Rafael Benitez's men have climbed into fourth place in the league and progressed to the last eight of the Champions League.
Babel admits he took time to adapt to the demands of English football but insists that, thanks in no small part to Rafa Benitez's methods, he is now thriving in his new environment.
"I'm learning so much here and again I can see that it's often the small details that make the difference," he said.
"After a match we have to stand in an ice bath for five minutes. You can be affected with cramp or lactic acid, and that causes small tears in the muscles, but by applying cold water it repairs the damage immediately.
"During pre-season I had to do it after every training session and it was so cold, really horrible. In the beginning I could only suffer it for half a minute and sometimes I stood with my tracksuit and socks on or I tried slyly to miss it.
"Even during training I was thinking about the dreaded cold water, but now I'm used to it – and it certainly works as I'm more flexible and feeling a lot better the next day."
Babel is confident his best is yet to come as he continues to build his fitness closer to the levels required for the 'crazy' world of English football.
"It's understandable I'm not playing 90 minutes. Physically I'm not yet at the point that I'm able to play 90 minutes in the crazy tempo of the Premier League," he added.
"Rafa Benitez said that he signed me because he wanted more players in the squad who can get past opponents. Of course my status as a young talent carries certain expectations but Liverpool see me as a rough diamond that needs to be cut and polished."
Paul Eaton 26 March 2008
Ryan Babel has today revealed how an ice cold bath has helped him make a red hot start to his Anfield career. The in-form Dutch winger is preparing for this weekend's crunch Merseyside derby having started nine of the last ten games for the Reds as Rafael Benitez's men have climbed into fourth place in the league and progressed to the last eight of the Champions League. Babel admits he took time to adapt to the demands of English football but insists that, thanks in no small part to Rafa Benitez's methods, he is now thriving in his new environment.
"I'm learning so much here and again I can see that it's often the small details that make the difference," he said.
"After a match we have to stand in an ice bath for five minutes. You can be affected with cramp or lactic acid, and that causes small tears in the muscles, but by applying cold water it repairs the damage immediately.
"During pre-season I had to do it after every training session and it was so cold, really horrible. In the beginning I could only suffer it for half a minute and sometimes I stood with my tracksuit and socks on or I tried slyly to miss it.
"Even during training I was thinking about the dreaded cold water, but now I'm used to it – and it certainly works as I'm more flexible and feeling a lot better the next day."
Babel is confident his best is yet to come as he continues to build his fitness closer to the levels required for the 'crazy' world of English football.
"It's understandable I'm not playing 90 minutes. Physically I'm not yet at the point that I'm able to play 90 minutes in the crazy tempo of the Premier League," he added.
"Rafa Benitez said that he signed me because he wanted more players in the squad who can get past opponents. Of course my status as a young talent carries certain expectations but Liverpool see me as a rough diamond that needs to be cut and polished."