Received wisdom has it that minus Fernando Torres Liverpool are devoid of a goal threat. The other strikers on the books are deemed too poor - Andriy Voronin, too fragile and lacking in belief - Ryan Babel or simply unproved - David N’Gog.
Below that are a host of other youngsters still to show their worth at anything higher than reserve level. There is plenty of promise in the likes of Danny Pacheco, Nathan Eccleston and Krisztián Németh who is gaining experience and plaudits in Greece but as yet nothing more.
For Liverpool Voronin has been worth something in the region of his fee. Absolute zero. Something of a lumbering beast complete with a ponytail which can make him a figure of fun amongst his own fans let alone others. He often seems to believe the world is against him and is a man no longer happy in his surroundings. Someone simply going through the motions.
Many ask just how he can have performed with such apparent distinction for Hertha Berlin and be so well considered in Germany. The answer is somewhat straightforward. The Bundesliga is nowhere near being the best league in Europe. Below a certain level the standard on offer is quite poor certainly lacking the Premiership’s depth. It is behind Serie A plus a host of others and certainly La Liga. The most satisfying for those who like to see a consistently high technical grade of football.
Hertha were a team who held a specific brief under Lucien Favre relying largely on their resilience and ability to frustrate. A deep sitting counterattacking outfit for whom the broody Ukrainian exploited a huge benefit from due to drills on the training ground. He knew the places to run and how the ball would be played.
Against Lyon he had a gilt edged opportunity to grab an early and what could have proved a crucial lead. He accelerated away from Jeremy Toulalan to reach Javier Mascherano’s throughball. It was the type of chance he snaffled with Berlin but his shot lacked not just confidence but conviction making the block far easier than it could have been.
Babel cannot be considered any sort of replacement for Torres. His strengths lie in the support role but in that and other areas his ability only flickers at times. It’s fair to point out - as others have done - his Liverpool career is summed up by his appearance from the bench away to Lyon. A thunderbolt from 25 yards followed a intuitive step away to make room with virtually 11 men behind the ball. A few minutes later rather than swing a free-kick into the box he arced it out for a throw-in.
N’Gog can at times look like Bambi skinny legs pumping and feet untidy but has shown a certain amount off composure in front of goal.
Putting his controversial winning of the penalty against Birmingham to one side during that same game in order to get into the area he skipped past challenges travelling somewhere in the region of 30 yards to put himself in the perfect position for a pull back. In addition to taking his goal well he sought to lay on chances which is certainly an area of his game not opened to much scrutiny.
Maybe those who offer opinion on the game should simply watch and question what they think they know.
Quite clearly able to perform in the top flight not to mention Europe where he has often looked equally well equipped he is too good to be considered anything other than a bona fide member of the first team.
Liverpool’s bench has come under great scrutiny this term and along with those youth team products who have gained a seat recently there is so often a clamour to see N’Gog lumped into the list of weaknesses available as replacements. Based on nothing more than his age, some poor control, a sometimes awkward style as the arms flail out and £1.5 million fee. One which should seem paltry and highlight what a fine piece of business his recruitment has been.
Keeping scrutiny on a theme of substitution, which is where N'Gog's immediate Anfield future lies, though he lacks the impact Babel can but so often rarely provides the young Frenchman’s ability to attune to the rhythm of a game - no matter when he is introduced - bodes well for the future.
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