El Zhar interview

[Woobus]

He has done pretty much what you could ask of a sub coming on in the games he has played. Changed the game and helped turn draws into wins, can only get better with more experience and would be happy to see him get more chances next year.

[BrianF80]

I wouldn't question his attitude and yes he gives us an option, but you never at any stage thought he would come on and change a game where we needed a goal.

If he were 18 or 19 you could give him experience and expect that would help him push on but has been said before I don't think he'll get any better, so to be honest I don't see what tangible he offers us. I'd love to be proved wrong but I don't think he's got what it takes.

Apart from that game where he set up Riera right. Give him a chance. He's nippy, tricky and can beat a man as he proved against Boro. Let's get some early goals and give him some time in games already won and see what he can do before we condemn him.

[Deano]

Signed up until 2012

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/8145886.stm

[dww]

Signed up until 2012
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ol/8145886.stm

El Zhar signs new Liverpool deal

Liverpool forward Nabil El Zhar has signed a contract extension that is set to keep him at Anfield until 2012.

He joined the Reds from French side St Etienne in October 2006.

The 22-year-old Moroccan international made 19 appearances for the first team last season, helping the club finish second in the Premier League.

Meanwhile Liverpool have completed the signing of French left-back Chris Mavinga, 18, from French outfit Paris St Germain.

Mavinga, can also play in the central defence and has represented his country at under-18 level.

El Zhar follows Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt, Yossi Benayoun and Daniel Agger in committing his long-term future to the club.

El Zhar was born in France and played for Les Bleus at youth level before opting to play for Morocco, where his parents were raised.

He was recruited by Liverpool after impressing during the 2005 World Youth Championships where he helped Morocco reach the semi-final stage.

El Zhar's senior Liverpool debut came as substitute against Portsmouth in 2006, and his only goal to date came at Anfield in a 2-1 victory over Cardiff in the fourth round of the Carling Cup in 2007.

[fin7]

El Zhar signs new Liverpool deal

Liverpool forward Nabil El Zhar has signed a contract extension that is set to keep him at Anfield until 2012.

He joined the Reds from French side St Etienne in October 2006.

The 22-year-old Moroccan international made 19 appearances for the first team last season, helping the club finish second in the Premier League.

Meanwhile Liverpool have completed the signing of French left-back Chris Mavinga, 18, from French outfit Paris St Germain.

Mavinga, can also play in the central defence and has represented his country at under-18 level.

El Zhar follows Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt, Yossi Benayoun and Daniel Agger in committing his long-term future to the club.

El Zhar was born in France and played for Les Bleus at youth level before opting to play for Morocco, where his parents were raised.

He was recruited by Liverpool after impressing during the 2005 World Youth Championships where he helped Morocco reach the semi-final stage.

El Zhar's senior Liverpool debut came as substitute against Portsmouth in 2006, and his only goal to date came at Anfield in a 2-1 victory over Cardiff in the fourth round of the Carling Cup in 2007.

rafa must like him

[Lee]

I think he's a decent option. Skillful and not scared to take a player on.

Big season coming up for him I think though, sort of make or break time as to whether he can cut it here full time.

[JohnDoe]

I like El Zhar. He's a good option to have on the bench and seems to be content to stay in his role, so nothing wrong with giving him a new contract on relatively small wages.

[mattydalton]

I think he's a decent option. Skillful and not scared to take a player on.

Big season coming up for him I think though, sort of make or break time as to whether he can cut it here full time.

Pretty much sums my thoughts up

[Ben_Itez]

I'm pretty sure he will never become a regular first teamer but I think he is a fine squad member as he offers something different. As has been said he has the right attitude and seems keen to learn. I'm not sure I believe this idea that every player should be fully formed by the age of 21 players like people more generally develop at different rates.

If he wasn't a full international he would have little opportunity to grow and learn but as he is I think there is scope for him to do so and become a more regular contributor for us. As has been said many times in recent seasons it is about the strength of your squad these days and as much as United's title wins have come from a surfeit of attacking talent they have come from the fact that players like Brown, Fltecher, O'Shea etc have been able to slot in and understand the way they play even if for a lot of the time they haven't bee of the standard required to be a first team regular (although to go back to a point I made elsewhere Fletcher has grown as a player a great deal in the last year or so).

I'm not a massive fan of his but on his game he offers us something different. I was pretty surprised when he got a 3 year contract but as mentioned we need a stock of hungry young players to compliment and challenge for the first team.

He might come on leaps and bounds and become a regular in the first team squad but more likely he'll be used as an impact player from the bench and to cover for injuries etc against the smaller teams. If he does well and we sell him on for a few million in a couple of years it'll be a job well done.

[Fivex]

Is he one of Rafa's youth buys or has he been here even longer than that? I can't remember

[dww]

He is one of Rafa's

[mattydalton]

Is he one of Rafa's youth buys or has he been here even longer than that? I can't remember

Tut tut Willo - do you not remember watching the videos on YouTube when I worked with you a couple of years ago?

[Fivex]

I can't remember what I had for breakfast mate...

[mattydalton]

I can't remember what I had for breakfast mate...

Actually, that sounds like you!!