Babel vows to repay Hodgson's faith

Published Sep. 9, 2010 9:16 a.m. ET

foxsports

The 23-year-old revealed the Reds boss has assured him he will get more time playing in his favoured striking position this season after being deployed as a winger under former manager Rafa Benitez. Babel was reportedly used as a makeweight for West Ham frontman Carlton Cole on transfer deadline day, however a deal failed to materialise. And the Dutchman is determined to repay Hodgson by showcasing his talents to the Anfield faithful on a regular basis. "It's clear when a new manager comes in, everyone's chances are equal again with others," Babel told the club's official website. "It is positive for me and maybe everybody who was in a difficult situation. "I hope this is a chance for me to establish myself, but the first test for me is to work hard in every training session and try to show what I can do. In the end, it is the manager's decision if he uses me or not. "I am very confident and positive - I feel well and have been training well. Hopefully it is just a matter of time before I can get some confidence back to finally show everybody what I can do." Babel was used as a striker by Hodgson in the first leg of last month's Europa League qualifier against Trabzonspor at Anfield - and he claimed the only goal of the game with a clinically-taken effort. But the former Ajax ace was substituted abruptly during the interval of that match and has since only made cameo appearances in Liverpool's last two Premier League matches against Manchester City and West Brom.