Patrik Berger

[stressederic]

Patrik Berger announces retirementGeoff Berkeley

 

 

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(Sam Stephenson / Newsteam.co.uk)

Patrik Berger, the former Liverpool and Czech Republic international, has announced his retirement after losing his long-running battle with injury.

 

The 36-year-old, who is currently at Sparta Prague, has barely feature this season because of his injury problems. His last appearance came on August 8 last year.

 

"Patrik told me yesterday 'It's over. My knee can no longer hold up'," Jozef Chovanec, the Sparta Prague manager, said.

 

Berger started his career as with Sparta Prague before rejoining his hometown club in 2008.

 

However, the midfielder is best known for his time at Liverpool, where he spent seven successful years between 1996 and 2003. This was followed by spells with Portsmouth, Stoke City and Aston Villa.

 

Berger was capped 44 times, scoring 18 goals for the Czech Republic between 1993 and 2001.

 

Times

 

Top man, was Paddy.

[Eiler99]

Remember when we signed him and I bought the official LFC magazine with him on the cover and the headline "Berger King!".

 

Good lad. Boyhood red, of course.

Edited January 6, 2010 by Eiler99

[Ibby]

always liked berger. Remember the 2 goals he scored against the chavs and the headline in the mirror the next day 'two tasty bergers!'

[Nerik]

If only we had him in our current team. A complete LM. Could score, take on players etc. Wicked shot. Too many faves to pick one out but I remember hitting the roof when he put us 2-1 up against Leeds in January 2000.

[kop205]

Thanks for some cracking goals, a great pass in the FA Cup Final in 2001, and for having a fit wife.

[Des]

always liked berger. Remember the 2 goals he scored against the chavs and the headline in the mirror the next day 'two tasty bergers!'

 

Nice Berger shot!

[Jarg Armani]

If only we had him in our current team. A complete LM. Could score, take on players etc. Wicked shot. Too many faves to pick one out but I remember hitting the roof when he put us 2-1 up against Leeds in January 2000.

 

Yeah, he'd be boss in this team, said that before.

[Jacks Jackie Jackson]

He's Czech,

He's great,

He's Paddy Berger.

[Murphman]

He's Czech,

He's great,

He's Paddy Berger.

 

 

smate.

[stressederic]

[Marvin]

I liked for him for his skill but I seem to remember there being many games when he was fairly anonymous.

[dl2009]

Well, if nobody else is going to do it, then I will:

 

----------Reina

 

Glen Carra Agger Aurelio

 

--- Aquilani Masch

 

--Maxi Gerrard Berger

 

------- Torres

 

Edited January 6, 2010 by dl2009

[Leo No.8]

Always liked Berger a lot; sweet left foot, fantastic technique and a model professional. Opinion seemed to be a bit divided on him back when he was playing though.

 

I find it interesting that pretty much everyone seems to like him now in retrospect, because I can remember fighting his corner many times when he was getting stick (on Koptalk back then probably) as he was always one of my favourite players.

 

I went to the Czech Euro 96 games at Anfield (and the semi at Old Trafford and final at Wembley) when he came prominance and I wanted us to sign him from then. Poborsky seemed to get all the press after that tournament and was flavour of the month but Berger was outstanding.

Edited January 6, 2010 by Leo No.8

[fred milne]

If only we had him in our current team. A complete LM. Could score, take on players etc. Wicked shot. Too many faves to pick one out but I remember hitting the roof when he put us 2-1 up against Leeds in January 2000.

He had a great left-foot shot on him but I reckon "complete LM" is pushing it a bit.

[Leo No.8]

He had a great left-foot shot on him but I reckon "complete LM" is pushing it a bit.

 

I'd say he's comparible to Riera as a player in terms of the type of player he was but better.

 

His general game is fairly similar to Riera - quickish but not lightning, fairly tall for a winger, intelligent, stays wide and does his job defensively. Main difference is although Riera has a decent shot on him Berger had an absolute beast of a left foot and scored more goals.

 

I do think the balance Berger would provide the current Liverpool side would be ideal, but I'd agree even as one of my favourites he wasn't the complete LM.

Edited January 6, 2010 by Leo No.8

[Jarg Armani]

I'd say he's comparible to Riera as a player in terms of the type of player he was but better.

 

His general game is fairly similar to Riera - quickish but not lightning, fairly tall for a winger, intelligent, stays wide and does his job defensively. Main difference is although Riera has a decent shot on him Berger had an absolute beast of a left foot and scored more goals.

 

I do think the balance Berger would provide the current Liverpool side would be ideal, but I'd agree even as one of my favourites he wasn't the complete LM.

 

Leo, have you spent the day thinking about Riera?

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

Carra didn't best like him

[Leo No.8]

Leo, have you spent the day thinking about Riera?

 

I have actually, today I will mostly be posting about Albert Riera. I think his return to the team as soon as possible is extremely important.

[stressederic]

I have actually, today I will mostly be posting about Albert Riera. I think his return to the team as soon as possible is extremely important.

 

So do I. Important player for us is Riera.

[johngibo YPC]

Leo, have you spent the day thinking about Riera?

 

I'd like to think he's built an Albert Riera snowman

[fred milne]

I'd say he's comparible to Riera as a player in terms of the type of player he was but better.

 

His general game is fairly similar to Riera - quickish but not lightning, fairly tall for a winger, intelligent, stays wide and does his job defensively. Main difference is although Riera has a decent shot on him Berger had an absolute beast of a left foot and scored more goals.

 

I do think the balance Berger would provide the current Liverpool side would be ideal, but I'd agree even as one of my favourites he wasn't the complete LM.

I'd say Riera is much better at going past his marker than Berger was. He's also better at shielding the ball. (Same goes for Kewell.)

[sean]

Didn't rate him as highly as most. despite his size, he wasn't the strongest but was fairly explosive when he did something.

[Jarg Armani]

I have actually, today I will mostly be posting about Albert Riera. I think his return to the team as soon as possible is extremely important.

 

Thought so. I've been thinking about him too, would be great if he could make a surprise comeback in the next couple of games.

 

Players that get a knock and then disappear without trace for an age wind me up. Not even a rumour about when he's due back.

 

The way he stretches the pitch in possession is invaluable though, nobody else in the squad does it.

[Paul]

Thought he was a decent player but nothing more

[ion]

I liked Paddy, had a lot of good qualities. He's the player Aquilani reminds me of the most. There's a certain erratic grace, the angled pass and the shot. Berger was never a left winger though, he was always an attacking midfielder if memory serves, but for me went by the wayside like so many good players in the last decade or so who were bought for certain qualities in certain positions and then the manager failed to have the confidence to play them in those same positions for any length of time. Sticking him on the left for the sole reason he was left-footed and not defensive enough seemed to negate virtually every single quality he had.