David “Wash” Ngog elects to remain at Anfield for the season.
“I am happy at Liverpool. I am focused on the club and I’m trying to do my best for Liverpool.”
“I am a striker and I want to score a lot of goals for Liverpool. I work hard for this and so it’s good when it comes off,” said Ngog. (LiverpoolFC.TV)
Liverpool striker David “Wash” Ngog has elected against going out on loan this season, preferring to work for a regular place in the team at Anfield.
The French forward was the subject of a bid from Barclays Premier League new boys West Bromwich Albion, who are in need of cutting edge up front. However, with Liverpool short of striker backup beyond Torres, Ngog is likely to get plenty of chances to impress in the current campaign and is already making his mark.
David Ngog has received plenty of stick the last few seasons, but has proved prolific this season. Indeed, while the rest of the proverbial Big Four boast wonderful attacking options, the cash-strapped Liverpool cannot afford similar calibre.
When injury repeatedly struck for Torres, Ngog ended up thrown into the deep end – possibly a bit earlier than then-coach Rafa Benitez would have liked. He was directly under the spotlight, and criticised with more vigour than most players of similar age and experience normally receive.
However, with Torres being nursed back to fitness at present, he has started all Liverpool’s competitive matches this season – and has done rather well for the team.
Ngog currently has four goals in three starts for Liverpool this season, and although he is still prone to wasting the odd chance, that will doubtlessly lessen with more experience.
Steven Gerrard played in a deeper role yesterday than he typically occupied last season, and the England captain (or vice-captain, if Rio Ferdinand hasn’t gone the same direction as Owen Hargreaves) played some excellent long balls through Arsenal’s high back line for Ngog to chase. Only marginal timing in the Frenchman’s movement prevented him from being through on goal, and again he will soon improve.
With Laurent Blanc axing all 23 players used in France’s disastrous World Cup campaign, might Ngog get a chance for the senior national team soon?
If he keeps scoring at this rate, the player who was once a laughing stock could soon well be an international striker.