Liverpool drew 0-0 with Sparta Prague, failing to get a shot on target in the whole game. David N'Gog started upfront and provided yet more questions about how he has found himself to in a team with such history and lofted ambitions.
When Rafa Benitez signed him from PSG the french club did not put up much of a fight, hence the low transfer fee. In 25 games he had scored 3 goals, two of those coming in one game in the French League Cup. At Liverpool he has improved his scoring rate slightly to 19 goals in 89 games.
This season he has scored 8 goals, five coming from the Europa League. His goal in the 1-1 draw against Arsenal was a powerful finish, beating Almunia at the near post, but I cannot fathom why he still gets games for Liverpool.
Quick quick, not bad in front of goal, he offers little as a leading front man (a poor man's Torres, even with the Spaniard in such dire form). He is not strong in the air, not technically proficient on the deck, does not stretch the channels, nor hold off defenders. He looks like he is at 80% all the time.
The fact he is edging towards a century of games for Liverpool is more of an indictment of their striking options over the last few years. Why Benitez selected him ahead of the enigma that is Ryan Babel shows his reign went downhill. Roy Hodgson, with no funds to spend, had to play him and was initially rewarded with goals but the Frenchman has returned to type.
The problem is, after being seduced by Liverpool, it is unlikely that N'Gog will settle for a stint at a team down the Premier League table, or in the Championship. He turned down a move to West Brom in the summer, but that is about his level. He is a Peter Odemwingie, a striker who does well if he gets into double figures for the season, which he has never done in his career.
I'm sure he tries his heart out, and hey, he is better than me, but I never seen what Bentiez has seen in him. If someone offers £5million they should bite their hands off because I do not see N'Gog making it in the Premier League, at least not for a side aiming for the Champions League.
The sooner Andy Carroll gets fit the better!
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