PLAYER PROFILE

Patrik Berger

Position: Midfield

Height: 6'1

Weight: 12st 8lbs

Date of Birth: 1973-11-10 Prague, Czech Republic

Patrik Berger

Patrik Berger signed for Liverpool in a £3.2million deal in the summer of 1996. It was a long struggle, but Liverpool finally signed their man after a drawn out chase. Roy Evans was very impressed with his performances in Euro 96, despite injury and illness restricting him for most of the tournament. Patrik scored the penalty for the Czech Republic against Germany in the competition's Final.

The Prague native made his name at local club Slavia, where he played alongside good friend and team-mate, Vladimir Smicer. But his progress in Czech football soon brought the attention of the German big boys and Berger sealed a move to Borussia Dortmund in 1995, where he was a member of their Bundesliga title winning side.

A strong-running, attacking, goal-scoring midfielder, Berger has played some of his best football for the Reds since Gerard Houllier's appointment as sole manager of the club. 1998/99 proved a turnaround season as his deep penetrating runs and spectacular shooting made him one of the season's success stories.

Since then, Berger established himself as a key member of the Liverpool first team and was sorely missed when a knee injury early in the 2000/01 season ruled him out. He returned to play a part in the FA and Uefa Cup successes but it was on the Champions League stage that Reds supporters are so desperate to seem him perform.

At the end of Liverpool's disappointing 2002/03 capaign, Berger was released, and quickly snapped up by Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp. The Czech star signed a two-year deal with the Premiership new boys.

He was an instant success at Fratton Park and provided the south coast club with some much needed top-flight experience. His season was sadly cut short in February when he suffered a knee injury which then required surgery. In 23 appearances he'd scored 5 goals, though the following campaign was again marred by injuries.

In May 2005 he was released by Portsmouth and snapped up by Aston Villa, but he struggled once more in the 2005/06 season, making just nine apperance, five of which were as a substitute. In November 2006, as his struggle for a first team place continued, he was loaned out to Stoke City, but returned later in the campaign to become a significant figure for Martin O'Neill's men.