After a seemingly never-ending barren spell where Liverpool’s young stars have failed to make any sort of an impact on the first team the Reds finally have a crop of young players who appear destined to challenge for a place in the first team in the not-so distant future. In this five part series I examine the youngsters who are on the fringes of the starting eleven and consider their possible futures at the club.
In this first article I take a closer look at young French striker David Ngog.
David Ngog seems a surprising player to start my analysis of Liverpool’s youth. The former PSG player has already become such an intrinsic member of Liverpool’s first team set up that it often surprises people to find out that our second choice striker is still only 21.
Bought for a mere £1.5 million Ngog went straight into Liverpool’s first team squad upon his arrival in July 2008. He was then eased into the first team picture during his opening season at the club.
He played a bit-part role as Liverpool supporters witnessed one of the best seasons in recent history. Liverpool racked up a total of 86 points, scoring 77 goals and finishing only four points behind eventual Champions Manchester United.
Meanwhile, Ngog was used sparingly, starting five games and appearing as a substitute in 14 matches whilst scoring three goals. The first of those arrived in Eindhoven where Liverpool played out a dead-rubber Champions League group stage fixture versus PSV.
After the Merseysiders had recovered from a one-goal deficit to take a 2-1 lead, Ngog raced on to a Robbie Keane pass to score with aplomb and round off an eventful evening for Liverpool’s future stars, with Martin Kelly and Jay Spearing also featuring.
It was a brief yet beautiful glimpse of the rough diamond that needed to be polished and carefully treated in order for it to eventually develop into an expensive asset.
We were to see far more of Ngog’s talent the following season as the injury-prone Fernando Torres spent large spells on the treatment table, forcing Benitez to throw Ngog straight into the starting line-up on a frequent basis.
He appeared in a total of 33 games, starting 17 of those and finding the net eight times, giving him an enviable scoring rate of a goal every four games. Excluding substitute appearances Ngog claimed an exceptional record of nearly a goal every two games.
The highlight of those eight strikes came in October when Ngog displayed maturity and composure beyond his relatively few years when he confidently rolled the ball past Van der Sar and into the Kop net as Anfield erupted in celebration of a magnificent, match-winning goal from Ngog.
Although the rest of the squad and the manager received harsh criticism for what was a simply shocking season, Ngog was one of the (very) few who could hold their heads up high.
He may not have fully compensated for the loss of Fernando Torres, however he provided an adequate replacement considering his age and the fact that he had never experienced such an extended period of top-level first team football before.
Ngog has continued his speedy development even further this season, and remains our top scorer with a total of seven goals so far. Six of those have come in the Europa League as he has flourished when given the opportunity to start in the earlier stages of UEFA’s secondary European competition.
However, the memorable goal from our season up to this point has to be Ngog’s stunner at home to Arsenal on the opening day of our Premier League campaign. The soon to depart Argentine international Javier Mascherano slid the ball through for Ngog who rifled the ball excellently past the helpless Manuel Almunia at the near post.
It was yet another example of his fearsome ability in front of goal, and the promising potential that may be realised at some point in the future.
Despite the clear progress displayed by David Ngog during his time at Anfield the tall, gangly striker remains the subject of fierce debate amongst supporters divided in their views on our number 24.
Some supporters argue that he is too slow and weak to fully fulfil the centre forward’s role at the club. They suggest that his lack of pace lessens the danger posed to opposition defenders and that his inability to successfully hold the ball up leads to many attacks stalling before they’ve even begun.
Others point to his impressive goalscoring record and his hard working, professional attitude as evidence to suggest that he may have the potential to develop into a real star in the famous Red shirt of Liverpool.
One thing the vast majority of fans are agreed upon though is that Ngog should not have to shoulder the responsibility that comes with stepping into the boots of one of, if not the best striker on the planet at such a tender age.
Unfortunately due to the lack of funding afforded by Hicks and Gillett throughout their parasitic reign, neither Benitez nor Hodgson have had the ability to buy full and proper back up for Torres.
However, media-men and fickle fans both seem to forget the fact that Ngog is still only 21 when discussing whether he is good enough to step in for Torres. Similar youngsters such as Arsenal’s Carlos Vela seem to generate far more positive attention from journalists while Ngog is continually derided.
There is no doubt that Ngog would have received far more praise had he signed for Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal rather than for Rafael Benitez’s Liverpool. Wenger, with his admittedly remarkable record of signing young talent, would have been lauded for picking out a potential gem.
Benitez, on the other hand, was frequently criticised for failing to purchase a “better” striker, unfairly disregarding the financial handcuffs he had to work in.
Although Ngog is now starting to win over some of his doubters, he could soon see his prominent place in the squad fade rather quickly should NESV decide to fund the purchase of additional strikers in the next few transfer windows.
Nevertheless, I can see Ngog developing into a quality Liverpool player in the future, but only if he continues to play a role in the first team and is given the opportunity to prove his worth to the manager, regardless of the possible increased competition.
Only time will tell whether the French youth international will become the next Thierry Henry or the new Anthony Le Tallec.
YNWA
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