PATRIK BERGER

1996 / 97

BORN: Prague, 10.11.73

TRANSFER FEE: 3,250,000 from Borussia Dortmund, July 1996

POSITION : MIDFIELDER LEFT

GAMES: 0

GOALS: 0

OTHER CLUBS: Slavia Prague, Sparta Prague, Borussia Dortmund.

Patrik Berger is only 22 yet he already has a successful career behind him, and Liverpool fans hope he has even more successful time ahead of him. He first caught the eye when playing for Sparta Prague in his home country of the Czech Republic. From there he joined the German side, Borussia Dortmund with whom he won the German Bundesliga title last year, During the same time he was the star in the Czech Republic's qualifying matches for Euro '96. In eight matches he scored six goals f or the Republic.

Unfortunately for Patrik, although Euro '96 was a month of glory for the Czech Republic, for Patrik it was only a qualified success as he was hampered by injury for much of the tournament and mostly restricted to substitute appearances. He did however start in the Final against Germany and scored the penalty that gave his country the lead, and for a while had the Czech Republic dreaming of the European crown.

It was during that month of June that Patrik became a target for Liverpool, and a s soon as Euro '96 was finished long and protracted negotiations to secure his signature for Liverpool began. Although still under contract to Dortmund, and though the Germans were desperate to keep their Czech star for their Champions League campaign, Pa trik wanted to leave to join the team he supported as a boy in the then Czechoslovakia.

The transfer saga took six weeks, and was of the classic on-off, will he-won't he type, but eventually his signature was secured and he became a Liverpool player.

No sooner had his work permit arrived than injury struck again, and Patrik was unable to make his Liverpool debut until September away at Leicester. But what a debut! Two goals in a stunning second half performance. He followed it up with two more goals in th e home game against Chelsea. It was no surprise that after his fantastic start to his Premier League career his was made Player of the Month for September.

Patrik is already one of the new generation of Liverpool players adored as much for their looks as t heir playing ability. He has angular, East European cheekbones, and long, dark hair and uses a hairband during games to ensure none falls into his eyes. Although some have said he can be a fairly difficult personality to work with, full of emotion and pas sion, when things are going right for him he is a truly world class player.

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