MARKUS Babbel has given the clearest indication yet that he is set to return to Liverpool this summer.

The German defender suffered a miserable return to Anfield with Blackburn last weekend as his year-long loan at Ewood Park nears an end.

Babbel, 31, insists his main aim is still helping Rovers maintain their Premiership status after a troubled campaign.

But he added: "In a perfect world, I would still be playing for Liverpool. My first priority is to help make sure Blackburn's Premiership place is safe, but the plan is still to go back to Liverpool at the end of the season.

"They are a great club and I'd love to be playing in the Champions League with them next season. That is my dream."

Babbel is bracing himself for a relegation fight to the finish, with Saturday's clash against Leeds - who beat Leicester last night - the next challenge.

He said: "We have to change things quickly. It has been difficult because I have never played for a team playing to save their Premiership place, but I will do all I can for them. I am not the type of person who will just play for Blackburn simply to get my fitness back.

"At the time it was the right option when Graeme Souness took me from Liverpool, and it has been a great help. Now I would like to give something back to them by helping them stay up. In a perfect world for me I would be back here playing for Liverpool next season in the Champions' League."