Rafa Benitez says the transfer rumours surrounding Ryan Babel's future have been a distraction.

Liverpool rejected a couple of bids for the winger during the January transfer window and as a result the boss is now hoping to see some improvement from him.

Rafa said: "If we play without the speculation surrounding Ryan Babel then I am sure it will be easier for him to focus and for me to play him.

"So I think we will be better in attack and the team will be better."

We think this is just Rafa trying to motivate Babel but that he still has every intention of shifting him come the summer.