ROY EVANS, the Liverpool manager, had warned before this match that Patrik Berger was not so much knocking on the door as threatening to smash it down. Yesterday the 22 year old Czech international took it off its hinges - and it fell flat on Stan Collymore.
Berger, a £3 million signing from Borussia Dortmund, had made only one brief appearance for Liverpool before, against Southampton. Yesterday he replaced Collymore, perhaps for good, at half time. By the final whistle he had scored two fine goals, as many as Collymore and Robbie Fowler have managed between them all season, to put his club top of the Premiership table.
Berger, so impressive in the Czech Republic's run to the final of Euro 96, is not so much a striker as an attacking midfield player, but it is difficult to imagine Liverpool not finding a way to integrate such an extravagantly gifted player, and the talented but temperamental Collymore could be the fall guy.
Berger rushed away from Filbert Street directly after the game to prepare for international duty and left the talking to John Barnes. The England player said: "He's world class - and you need as many world class players as you can find if you're going to take on the likes of Manchester United and Newcastle. He's got great vision, great strengths and you can play one twos with him. I thought he was the best Czech player in the summer, even though he was not always in the side."
It was not only Collymore who struggled in the first half. Liverpool looked slow and jaded from their trip to Finland, where they had played MyPa-47, who sound more like an Internet number, in the European Cupwinners Cup.
Leicester, who have now won only one of their six games, were the more impressive side in the first half with their neat, well organised assertive football. Liverpool appear to represent the yardstick for every other club and Martin O'Neill, the Leicester manager, was pleased at half time, although he felt his side should have scored in the first minute when Emile Heskey's powerful header from Neil Lennon's cross inspired an outstanding reflex save by David James.
Berger came on at half time and a disappointing match was never the same again. He had a shot blocked almost immediately and this appeared to galvanise the entire side. He scored the first goal in the 58th minute. Julian Watts allowed Steve McManaman to rob him, but Berger's left footed finish was emphatic.
Liverpool went 2-0 up just three minutes later when Casey Keller's fumble resulted in the ball squirming under his body following Mickey Thomas' low, firm drive.
Berger completed the scoring after 78 minutes with another fierce left footed shot after Fowler had dummied Jason McAteer's pass. Evans said afterwards: "The change made all the difference. It was a dream debut by Patrik. There were a few on the bench waiting to get on but Patrik got his chance and he took it well.
"Sometimes it can be difficult picking up a player in a deeper position. I remember Ian St John scoring a hat trick on his debut at Everton, but this must rank as one of the best starts. He added a new pace to the game immediately he came on and it was something we needed badly."
O'Neill, whose team have now failed to score in four of their six matches, shrugged: "We played well in the first half but I'm not interested in moral victories over 45 minutes."
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