David Ngog has revealed that he is keen to stay at Anfield, even though he spent more time in the Liverpool Hospitality than on the pitch last season. Ngog scored eight goals last season, but his future is uncertain after Roy Hodgson's arrival as manager and he has been linked with a move to West Brom.
"I know speculation is part of football and we have to deal with it.
West Brom manager Roberto Di Matteo has revealed that he is interested in signing Liverpool striker, David Ngog. Albion, promoted back to the Premier League at the end of last season, would like to take the player on a season-long loan and have already reportedly had one offer for the young Frenchman turned down.
The Reds are understood to be reluctant to allow Ngog to leave before their striking options for next season are confirmed.
Liverpool icon Ian Rush would love to see manager Rafa Benitez land Valencia striker David Villa.
In his column for the Liverpool Echo, Rushie wrote: "Top of the manager's list of priorities, undoubtedly, will be a striker, as we have looked short in the times when Torres has been out.
"David Ngog has performed admirably but has, perhaps, been found wanting too often.
"If money was no object, I'd go for Valencia's David Villa; he has a great rapport with Torres and scores goals for fun. It's just a shame he seems so settled in Spain."
Liverpool striker David Ngog admits he is happy to get back on the goal trail after finding the net against West Ham and hopes it is a sign of things to come.
The French forward struck the second goal in the Reds' 3-0 victory over the Hammers at Anfield on Monday night, having been handed a starting place due to an injury to Fernando Torres.
It was Ngog's first goal since 18th February and the 21-year-old is targeting a better return in the future.
striker David Ngog is keen to build on his impressive first-half of the season. The France U21 international has bagged six goals already this term but is determined to keep progressing.
"I hope I can keep improving," Ngog told liverpoolfc.tv. "It is all to do with confidence. It is good for me to be here in Liverpool and I have been playing a little bit more this season but nothing changes - you have to keep working hard. I'm enjoying my football and believe that I can score goals for Liverpool.
Fernando Torres is out for six weeks after undergoing knee surgery on a torn cartilage, while Yossi Benayoun is ruled out for up to four weeks after fracturing a rib and skipper Steven Gerrard is on the sidelines for a fortnight with a hamstring strain all incurred in the midweek cup exit.
Those losses add to the Merseyside outfit's injury woes with Glen Johnson a long-term casualty and still a month away from returning to action following knee ligament damage.
Rafa Benitez has had so many 'must-win' games this season - and failed to win the bulk of them - we cannot say defeat at the Britannia Stadium would seal his fate. But his position looks increasingly untenable after Wednesday's defeat to Reading, and there is now a chorus of Anfield legends calling for him to go.
While they are still only five points off fourth place, you have to look at how they have been playing, and it is hard to see them clawing back ground on the likes of Manchester City based on some awful recent performances.
Two facts have to be taken into consideration before you start criticising David Ngog. One: the player cost £1.5million, two: he has scored six goals in nine starts. If we leave the blatant dive against Birmingham City out of the equation, and focus on his footballing abilities, Ngog’s season has been an unqualified success. Rafa Benitez has really had to back the 20 year old to succeed this season considering the lack of transfer funds to purchase another striker in the summer, and the fact that Fernando Torres has been constantly hampered by injury.
There are too many players who don't seem to have that big-match temperament or the ability to play for a massive club like Liverpool who have so much tradition.
Apart from keeper Pepe Reina, that warrior Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard because of his obvious qualities, and striker Fernando Torres, Liverpool have got very, very little. And those players look like they are weighed down so heavily with the responsibility of trying to drag Liverpool up the table.
