Babel's played his whole career as a left sided attacker, despite being right footed. It seems it's part of a young striker's education. Being able to work the flanks is an important quality in an all round forward.
As for Stoke, it's a double edged sword. Drop him, it could set him back further. Play him, and we could be potentially playing with 10 men.
I think the only time he would get to start up front is in the absence of Torres. Nando I think is suffering from too much football (pointless confeds cup). Maybe we give him an hour on Wednesday and then bring on Babel, likewise with Gerrard, who also looks as though he's being hampered by injury.
Start Benny on the left, moving him centrally to replace Gerrard and give El Zahr a run out on the left as sub.
Back to Babel. I'm not sure we'd have time to replace him if he were sold or that Rafa would even get the cash from the sale. Maybe he could get a run out with the reserves as a striker until he develops his game and sorts the mental side out. Either way, he could prove to be one of many sources of frustration for us this season.