Ryan Babel and Liverpool in confusion over offer to Sunderland

Rafael Benítez's strained relationship with Ryan Babel deteriorated further yesterday when the Liverpool forward left the club's Melwood training ground without permission after a misunderstanding over his Anfield future. The Dutch international was called into the manager's office yesterday morning, having been omitted from the squad that drew at Stoke City on Saturday and offered to Sunderland in exchange for the striker Kenwyne Jones. Steve Bruce, the Sunderland manager, was not receptive to the proposal but Benítez may return with a cash bid for Jones should he manage to sell Babel before the close of the transfer window. After the meeting with Benítez, Babel drove away from Melwood under the impression that he was not wanted at training. It took a phone call from a member of the Liverpool back-room team to inform the player that was not the case. He eventually returned to the training ground. The Liverpool manager publicly challenged Babel to prove himself at Anfield. He said: "I was talking with Ryan one week ago and I explained the situation very clearly to him. After the meeting everything was fine. "He was working and he was on the bench and he played against Reading. After this game I decided he would not be on the bench and that is it. If Ryan trains hard and is ready to play he will be available. If not, he won't be available."