Former Liverpool winger Ryan Babel has opened up about the intense backlash he faced after his move from Besiktas to Galatasaray.

Babel, who joined the Reds in a £11.5million transfer from Ajax back in 2007, spent four years at Anfield, playing under Rafa Benitez, Roy Hodgson and Sir Kenny Dalglish.

He returned to Turkish football in January 2017 when he joined Besiktas, netting 22 goals in 62 games.



However, his decision to switch to Istanbul rivals Galatasaray in 2019 soured his relationship with the Besiktas faithful.

68 extraordinary pictures that show just what Jurgen Klopp means to our city	Baggies to Barcelona: 10 standout moments of Klopp’s Liverpool reign	Top African goalscorers in Premier League history: Liverpool star Mohamed Salah leads the way ahead of treble winner and Chelsea legend

READ MORE: Liverpool Champions League seeding confirmed as nightmare clash becomes possible

READ MORE: Newcastle and Arsenal agreements can give Liverpool exactly what they want from Adidas kit deal

Speaking to Ladbrokes Fanzone, Babel reflected on the experience: "Obviously that move to Galatasaray didn't go down well.

I didn't go directly to Galatasaray from Besiktas, though.

"I never wanted to leave Besiktas, but the people on the board at the time, I felt, didn't really deal with the whole situation in a respectful manner, and therefore I had to look elsewhere," Babel said.

.

Ryan Babel spent three seasons at Galatasaray - but only after playing for Besiktas.
For more news relating to Newcastle United, visit our sister site NUFC Latest Live.