Babel: Portsmouth win must be our benchmark

RYAN BABEL believes Liverpool’s thrashing of Portsmouth has set the standard for the rest of the season.

Monday night's 4-1 demolition of the bottom club breathed new life into the Reds' hopes of Champions League qualification.

The Dutch winger admits it also provided a much-needed boost to morale after the dismal back-to-back defeats at the hands of Wigan and Lille.

Now Babel is hoping to play his part in a repeat display in tomorrow night's Europa League second leg against Lille at Anfield and in Sunday's crunch league clash at Manchester United.

"The three points were very important but now that passion and the way we played in defence and attack is the basis of how we have to play in the remaining games," Babel said.

"I think we had a point to prove in terms of getting a result. I don't think the performance at Lille was as bad as some people thought but we definitely showed character against Portsmouth and hopefully we can now look forward.

"If you can score an early goal then confidence rises straight away. Then when a second comes everyone in the team feels confident and can play in a more relaxed way.

"It would definitely be nice to win at Old Trafford like last year. But, first of all, hopefully Thursday will be good and then we'll go to Old Trafford full of confidence."

Babel was one of a number of stars to impress against Pompey and he capped a promising performance with his fifth goal of the campaign.

It was only the second time this season the 23-year-old has started back to back games.

Back in January Babel appeared to be on his way out of Anfield with Birmingham City leading the chase for his signature, but he stayed put and is now determined to stake a claim for a regular place in Rafa Benitez's side.

"Hopefully now I can continue to get stronger," he added.

"With every game you'll start to see the best of me.

"I was always happy at Liverpool. Obviously you're always frustrated when you can't show people what you can do, but that's not just me, that's every player.

"But that's the past and now I want to go forward here at Liverpool."

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