Phil Babb

Irish Footballers that Played for Liverpool - Phil Babb

Phil Babb - Introduction

Phil Babb was born in London, England on 30 November 1970. He had come to prominence while he was club captain with Coventry City. His performances in defence for Coventry City caught the attention of Irish football manager Jack Charlton. Although born in England Babb qualified to play for the Republic of Ireland through the Granny Rule. Following some impressive performances for Ireland in the 1994 World Cup finals Liverpool manager Roy Evans swooped to buy Babb for a fee of £3.6 million. This made Babb the most expensive defender in Britain at the time.

Phil Babb & Liverpool

Phil Babb made his Liverpool debut on 17 September 1994 when he came on as a 70th minute substitute against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Unfortunately following the substitution Liverpool conceded two goals and ended up losing 2-0. Babb went on to make a total of 47 appearances in all competitions in the 1994/95 season.

Liverpool made it to the League Cup final against Bolton Wanderers that season. Babb collected a winners medal as the Reds won 2-1 courtesy of two goals from Steve McManaman.

In the following season Babb made 40 appearances and while Liverpool once again disappointed in the Premier League, coming third, the Anfield club did reach the FA Cup final. Unfortunately they met a Manchester United team

determined to complete a League and Cup double. United won 1-0 through a late goal from Frenchman Eric Cantona.

Phil Babb Scores for Liverpool

Phil Babb made a return with Liverpool to his former club Coventry City on 4 September 1996. In the 69th minute Liverpool's Michael Thomas played a short free kick to Jason McAteer who swung the ball into the Coventry box. Babb met the cross and side-footed the ball into the net at the back post. It was Phil Babbs only goal for Liverpool and it was somewhat ironic that it came at Highfield Road.

Phil Babb's Liverpool Career Comes to an End

Phil Babb was a skilful and speedy defender who could man-mark and tackle well. At times however, his positional sense could be poor and he was prone to alarming lapses in concentration. During the next three seasons Babb made a total of just 52 appearances and indeed he made no appearances in his last season, 1999/2000, at the club. Frenchmen Gerard Houllier had assumed full managerial control of the team following a doomed experiment with co-managers (Houllier & Evans). It was clear that Babb did not feature in Houllier's long term plans. On 1 July 2000 Phil Babb left Liverpool FC on a free transfer to Portugal's Sporting Lisbon.

Phil Babb - Ireland Career

Phil Babb made his debut for Ireland on 23 March 1994 against Russia at Lansdowne Road (now Aviva Stadium). Liverpool colleagues Jason McAteer and Ronnie Whelan were also in the team as the Irish drew 0-0 with the Russians. Babb's next three international appearances were also in friendlies as Ireland prepared for the 1994 World Cup finals in the USA. Jack Charlton had led Ireland to it's third major championship tournament however Babb had not played in any of the 1994 World Cup qualifiers. Amazingly Phil Babb's first competitive match for Ireland was against Italy in the first group match at Giants Stadium in New Jersey. It was a dream start for Ireland and Babb as the Irish beat Italy for the first time ever. Liverpool's Ray Houghton cracked home the winner. Babb gave a composed and masterful display alongside the majestic Paul McGrath.

Babb was regular starter for Jack Charlton's Irish teams however he found his opportunities to play for Ireland under Mick McCarthy more limited. He only made three starts in competitive matches for McCarthy. His last appearance for Ireland was on 7 September 2002 in a Euro 2004 qualifier against Russia in Moscow. Unfortunately for Babb, who had come on as a 85th minute substitute, his first touch of the ball ended up in his own net as Ireland lost 4-2. In Phil Babb's international career with Ireland, which lasted seven and a half years, he made 35 appearances, score no goals, and began and ended in matches against Russia.

Phil Babb - Liverpool & Republic of Ireland Statistics