Liverpool FC youngster David Ngog proving able deputy for Fernando Torres

David Ngog 460TASKS do not come much bigger in football these days than trying to fill the boots of the best striker in the world.In many ways, the mission David Ngog has faced during Fernando Torres' enforced absence has bordered on the impossible, as Liverpool's number nine possesses the kind of devilish attacking talent that only a select few can match at this moment in time.To expect a novice to do the job of a thoroughbred, then, is as unrealistic as it is unfair but despite being saddled with that welter burden, Ngog has risen to the task and provided a source of solace for Rafa Benitez, during what has been a hugely testing period. Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Macromedia's Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player.Yet despite taking his goals tally up to five and leading the line with aplomb, Ngog's progress has barely registered outside the city and he is perhaps best known for the crucial penalty he 'won' during the 2-2 draw with Birmingham City last month.It would be grossly unfair, though, to describe him as being another foreign footballer with a liking for amateur dramatics; that collision with Lee Carsley may have blotted his copybook but it does not reflect his game as a whole.Look at things another way - had a 20-year-old English striker scored five times already and consistently shown his growing confidence, the clamour for him to be included in Fabio Capello's World Cup squad would be growing louder with each passing week.As it is, however, Ngog - who will again start upfront in tonight's Champions League dead rubber with Fiorentina - is quite happy to continue learning his trade quietly, picking up pointers from Torres along the way.'I've had more starts than I expected this season and I'm much more involved in the team,' said Ngog, whom Benitez brought to Anfield from Paris St Germain last summer after agreeing a £1.5m deal.'I know I have time on my side and I am still young. We have got a lot of top players and I know I have to be patient but have the confidence to keep working every day in training so when the coach asks me to play I can do my best.'I'm happy I've scored some goals and it's nice that some of them have been winners.'Fernando is one of the best strikers in the world, one of the best players in our team but I just to try to play my own game.'I try not to think that I am taking over from him. It is great to work with Fernando and in training we try to help each other; it makes it easier when you have team-mates like him. I just try to keep improving and score many more goals.'

Source: Liverpool_Echo