AS a young boy growing up in France, David Ngog dreamed of becoming the next Thierry Henry. Now the Liverpool striker is hoping to ensure any comparisons with his boyhood idol are for the right reasons.
Any youngster filling the Fernando Torres-sized gap in the Anfield attack might have expected a sympathetic ride from the critics.
Not so for Ngog, however, who briefly assumed the mantle of public enemy number one after the ‘diving’ furore against Birmingham City last month, when his tumble to avoid Lee Carsley’s tackle earned a penalty that ensured a 2-2 draw.
It was only when Henry had a hand in helping his country past the Republic of Ireland and into next summer’s World Cup finals that Ngog’s claimed indiscretion started slipping from public consciousness.
For many young players, it would have been the signal to step back into the shadows and retreat to anonymity.
Ngog, though, hasn’t had any choice as the continued injury problems of Torres have pressed him into action, with the 20-year-old again leading the line for tonight’s Champions League dead rubber against Fiorentina at Anfield.
And the forward says: “What happened after Birmingham is part of football. As for the criticism, you know you will be criticised. I just try to keep my mind on the positive parts of my game.
“I didn’t really speak to anyone about it around the club. But I thought the criticism was unfair, as I know I’m not that kind of player.
“I don’t know if the reaction to the penalty was a surprise. Afterwards, Rafa just told me to be focused on the football and not on the criticism.
“For me, I just tried to jump out of the way of the tackle and make sure I wasn’t touched. I wasn’t thinking about winning a penalty, but things happen fast on a football pitch.”
Ngog adds: “When I was young, I was a big fan of Thierry Henry. He is French, and for me is one of the best strikers in the world. He won the World Cup with France in 98 and was an example for me. I’ve never met him, but that’s something I’d like to do. Why not?”
One striker Ngog certainly has met is Torres, who he cites as having as significant an effect on his burgeoning career.
Torres is one of the best strikers in the world,” says the Frenchman. “I watch him in training. He is a good example, he is a great man and a great player. But I try to play my own game.
“I sometimes ask him questions, he has experience in the Premier League and it’s good for me to have that kind of team-mate.
“I want to be a top striker. It’s a good thing to have an example like Torres in front of me.
“I don’t think about that fact I’ve been replacing Torres. I just play my game without that kind of pressure. I just try to be focused on what I am doing.
“I can block that out of my mind. I know people are talking about it, but I’m not thinking about it.
“Everyone who comes to Liverpool knows there will be pressure. We know what people expect from us. That’s why I try to work hard in every training session and try to do my best in every game.
“I’m confident in my quality. I know I can give more to the team. The coach has given me a chance and I’m trying to make the most of it.”
Ngog has netted five times in 13 appearances this season, including the winner in Liverpool’s last Champions League game against Debrecen a fortnight ago.
Of course, Fiorentina’s victory over Lyon – who included Ngog’s cousin Jean-Alain Boumsong – means the Frenchman and his team-mates will be plying their trade in the Europa League after this evening.
Ngog, signed from Paris Saint-Germain at the start of last season, has moved ahead of Andriy Voronin in Benitez’s pecking order up front and is determined to make the most of his first-team opportunities.
“It’s going to be a long season and hopefully we can play a lot of games every player has to be ready to be involved, and that’s what I try to do when the manager gives me the chance,” he says. “I am trying to enjoy my football and score goals to win games.
“My team-mates have helped me to be better. I really enjoy playing with them. When you play more games and be more confident with those around you, you can score more goals.
“I am sure I have the quality to be more physical. I need to be more consistent with that, and that can help improve me in the Premier League.”
Ngog has already etched his name into Anfield folklore by netting the clinching second in the 2-0 win over Manchester United earlier this season.
And the striker is confident he has much more to offer Liverpool.
“Scoring against Manchester United was my best moment since coming here, for sure,” he says. “To score against United, when I know how important it is for the club, the fans and for me as well, is a good thing.
“The manager gives me confidence. It’s my job to do my best and to give everything to the team.
“As a player, we know what the manager expects from us. I’m still young, I need to improve and I will improve. For now, I am trying to move forward step by step and learn.
“When you are a striker, you know you are going to miss chances. You don’t worry about it. It’s part of a striker’s life. You know you will have another chance, and you hope you will score.”
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