"It's been nearly a year but I never gave up," revealed the 29-year-old.
"I was never put under any pressure from the club so there really was no rush for me to return, but I was determined to come back. I have worked very hard for this. I think they thought it would take longer to get my fitness back but I am doing everything I can.
"The best way to repay the club and manager is to play to the best of my ability and help them win trophies. I am giving everything to do that for them."
Babbel admitted that there were dark days as he was struck by the debilitating effects of the illness.
"Last season was a very bad time for me," he added. "I was very, very ill. Nobody could tell me at the time if I would be able to come back and resume my career.
"If you have an injury, you have a good idea when you will be back and you look forward to that. I was not in that position with my illness.
"I heard of some people who had made full recoveries and others who had not.
"I just said thank you to the gods that I have come through it and now I am ready for the new season."
The Lazio match was Babbel's third 45-minute appearance in succession, following preseason appearances against Le Havre and Wolfsburg.
His triumphant return brought further praise from boss Gerard Houllier, who pointed to Liverpool's tremendous team spirit as a boost to Babbel's recovery.
"He has proved himself a winner at every club he has been at," said the Frenchman. "Last December he was in a wheelchair and that tells us everything about his progress and attitude.
"He is a resurrected player. It's now a matter of minutes on the pitch for Markus.
"I hope he will come back to his best. I don't think he played that well against Le Havre but it was his first game since we played Bolton last August so it was to be expected.
"He did better against Wolfsburg. He seems to be better and better the more he plays and we will have to be patient because of the problems he has had. And he had a good half against Lazio on Tuesday.
"All the players were supportive. We sent members of staff, including Sammy Lee, over to see him in Germany and he cried when he saw them.
"One asset we have here is the team bonding that exists in good times and bad. No one is ever let down by the others."
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