Cheyrou accepts Houllier criticism

Liverpool midfielder Bruno Cheyrou admitted that Gerard Houllier was right to brand him a transfer flop this week – but has vowed to now prove his worth to the club.

Houllier admitted at this week’s annual general meeting that his summer 2002 signings had not yet worked out as he had hoped, with Cheyrou, Salif Diao and El Hadji Diouf still struggling to make a real impact at Anfield.

Cheyrou has taken that criticism on the chin but is now hoping that his winner at Stamford Bridge in only his second start of an injury-affected season is the start of a transformation in his fortunes.

The 25-year-old French midfielder, who has two caps for his country, was signed for £3.7m (€5.3m) by Houllier from Lille but had not scored a Premiership goal before last night.

He nevertheless declared: “I know the manager made comments at the meeting on Monday, but I think what he said was fair.

“I only want to talk about myself, not the other players who signed in 2002 such as El-Hadji Diouf and Salif Diao. From my point of view, I have to agree with him.

“I don’t think I’ve done really badly because I haven’t played a lot, but I certainly haven’t done what the manager, the chairman and the fans expected of me.

“Now I will try to do my best to do something about that. For me, it feels like I have paid something back by scoring against Chelsea, but I want to do a lot more.

“I hope I can still be a success at Liverpool. That’s why I joined the club. It’s not been a good start for me, but I hope this will be like a new start now.”

Cheyrou told the club’s website, www.liverpoolfc.tv: “I started the season in the team when we played Chelsea at Anfield, but after that I was forced out with an injury to my back.

“Then I broke my toe. After that I couldn’t get back so I think I’ve been a bit unlucky. To beat Chelsea away is special because we have such a bad record against them.

“A goal is a goal but that one last night was very important. I played a one-two with Emile and he put in a great cross for me to score.

“It was a good time to score and I hope it could be a second start for my Liverpool career. Liverpool fans have not seen the best of me and I hope to prove I can be a Liverpool player.

“The gaffer told me on the morning of the match I would be playing. I was very focussed on what I had to do and gave my best. It was a special night for me and the team.”

Cheyrou’s selection against Chelsea in an attacking midfield role just behind Heskey was something of a gamble by Houllier as he could instead have selected John Arne Riise or even restored Michael Owen to the side.

However, it paid off spectacularly and Houllier observed: “Bruno has skill and talent, it’s just unfortunate that we haven’t had him available before now this season.”