Rafa Benitez has revealed he intends to hold clear-the-air talks with forlorn Dutch winger Ryan Babel, who spoke out on Tuesday about the possibility of quitting Liverpool in the January transfer window.

The 22-year-old is something of a rarity at Anfield: a decent player, signed by Benitez, who the Spaniard refuses to play, as opposed to, say, Lucas Lieva; a hopeless player who Rafa constantly stands by.

Having arrived at Anfield for £11.5million in the summer of 2007, Babel has seen his first team opportunities decrease year on year, and has only started three league games this term, despite Albert Riera's absence through injury.

He gave a warning of his raw talent with a ruthless and spectacular long-range bullet in Liverpool's recent 1-1 with Lyon in the UEFA Champions League, but was typically left out of the Reds' next game in preference of a half-fit Riera.

On Tuesday he again sounded his frustration at being consistently overlooked at Anfield, a matter which recently, albeit briefly, saw him omitted from Bert van Marwijk's Netherlands squad.

And after his latest outburst, Benitez has confirmed that he will attempt to get to the bottom of Babel's complaints with reports suggesting the Dutchman could be waving 'cheerio' to Anfield in the New Year.

"I have got to talk to the player and I will see what his explanation is," Benitez told the Liverpool Echo.