The 22-year-old Frenchman, who made a GBP4 million move on transfer deadline day, scored 19 goals in 94 appearances in three years with the Reds. By Carl Markham.
New Bolton striker David Ngog hopes the years spent as understudy to Fernando Torres at Liverpool will help him as he seeks to establish himself as a Barclays English Premier League goalscorer.
The 22-year-old Frenchman, who made a GBP4 million move on transfer deadline day, scored 19 goals in 94 appearances in three years with the Reds.
Unfortunately for the former Paris St. Germain forward, his spell at Anfield coincided with that of Fernando Torres and as a result his chances were limited.
He did score some memorable goals — against Manchester United back in 2009 and Arsenal on the opening weekend of last season — but he was never likely to threaten the Spain international when he was fully fit.
But Ngog tried to take the positives from training with — and watching — Torres and hopes it will make him a better player for Bolton.
“When you are at a club like Liverpool you have to accept it (being behind Torres),” he said. “That made me stronger as well because you want to be close to the best and Fernando is one of the best. He is one of the best strikers in the world and when he was at Liverpool he was consistent in scoring a lot of goals. You learn about a lot from a player like this. It was a good experience and I will try to produce here and show what I am capable of.”
Ngog admitted he had reached the stage of his career when he needed more than just the odd substitute appearance if he was going to develop. “I am at the age when I need to be on the pitch every week,” he added. “For a few months I didn't have that much time playing for Liverpool and I am at that age when I need to play. Liverpool and I agreed to let me leave and have a new challenge. I still need to work and prove myself but I had experience with Liverpool; I played some big games and played in the Champions League as well. I will try to use that experience to fit in this team.”
Ngog said he turned down offers from a number of other clubs after being impressed by Bolton boss Owen Coyle and deciding to sign a three-year contract at the Reebok Stadium.
“I had options as a Liverpool player but Bolton was my first choice and I'm looking forward to working with my new team-mates,” he said. “Bolton have really good quality and a good manager and the team has been improving the last three years. I spoke with the manager and he had a good project for me. He has experience — and with young players as well — and I still have to improve and I want to play and I hope to play every week. I want to be part of this and I hope I will do well here. It was a good experience for me at Liverpool. Now I have a new challenge and I am focused on that. I want to win games and do well and hopefully that will happen this season.”
Coyle believes Ngog's time at Anfield will ensure he has no problem establishing himself as a first-team regular at Bolton. “David will be a great addition to our squad,” he said. “He is quick, he can score goals and he knows what the Barclays Premier League is all about. Added to that there is his European experience with Liverpool in the Champions and Europa Leagues. He has represented his country at a host of junior levels and he will offer our team further attacking options. We are delighted to bring another quality young prospect to Bolton.”
If Ngog can make the most of his chance, he could yet prove to be one of the smartest pieces of business during the transfer window.
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