Premiership: Babbel targets Anfield return after illness

Marcus Babbel has set his sights on a return to the Liverpool first team next season after overcoming a life-threatening illness.

He has spent most of this season in hospital after being diagnosed with the potentially fatal Guillan-Barre syndrome.

At one stage the 29-year-old defender was left paralysed in a hospital bed, unable to close his eyes and shedding weight at an alarming rate.

The onset of the disease, which affects the nervous system, first became apparent in August when he started to complain of constant fatigue.

Now Babbel is back in training and hopes to return to the side for their pre-season friendlies.

Babbel said: "I felt really tired during the Charity Shield game against Manchester United.

"It was the same in the Super Cup game against Bayern Munich in Monaco. I said 'Listen, this is unbelievable. Last season I had played 60 games with no problems. Now I am really tired'."

Babbel featured in the first Premiership game of this season, but was withdrawn at his own request at half-time during the defeat by Bolton. He has not played since.

It has been has been a long road back, but the German now believes he will make a full recovery.

He said: "Week by week I have been able to do more. Just being able to kick a ball, all these things are beautiful.

"The club have been really great to me. Gerard Houllier would call me two or three times a week and despite his own health problems he said to take my time. I always felt I would come back.

"If you are a professional sportsman you know how to fight. I was not the biggest talent, I have always had to fight from my time in the juniors for my place."

He added: "When I was very ill I signed a new contract with Liverpool. That was something special for me. I feel I will be stronger than before and hope I can play at the same level."