Babbel bound for Blackburn

Liverpool FC defender Markus Babbel has joined Blackburn Rovers FC on loan for the rest of the season.

Fierce competition
The German full-back has not featured for the Liverpool first team this season and, with new arrival Steve Finnan adding to the competition at right-back, the 30-year-old has decided to join the Ewood Park outfit for a season-long loan.

Suspension lingering
But the former Hamburger SV and FC Bayern München player, who helped his country win the UEFA European Championship in England in 1996, will have to wait to make his Rovers debut as he has two matches left on a suspension after a sending-off in a reserves match last season.

Treble success
Babbel joined Liverpool in June 2000 and helped them to a treble of FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup in his first season at the club. However, the following year he was struck down by a debilitating illness and sidelined for 15 months. The German fought his way back to fitness last year but could not break back into Liverpool's starting lineup.