Unfortunately for Patrik, although Euro '96 was a month of glory for the Czech Republic, for Patrik it was only a qualified success as he was hampered by injury for much of the tournament and mostly restricted to substitute appearances. He did however start in the Final against Germany and scored the penalty that gave his country the lead, and for a while had the Czech Republic dreaming of the European crown.  

 It was during that month of June that Patrik became a target for Liverpool, and as soon as Euro '96 was finished long and protracted negotiations to secure his signature for Liverpool began. Although still under contract to Dortmund, and though the Germans were desperate to keep their Czech star for their Champions League campaign, Patrik wanted to leave to join the team he supported as a boy in the then Czechoslovakia.  

 The transfer saga took six weeks, and was of the classic on-off, will he-won't he type, but eventually his signature was secured and he became a Liverpool player.  

 No sooner had his work permit arrived than injury struck again, and Patrik was unable to make his Liverpool debut until September away at Leicester. But what a debut! Two goals in a stunning second half performance. He followed it up with two more goals in the home game against Chelsea. It was no surprise that after his fantastic start to his Premier League career his was made Player of the Month for September.  

 Patrik is already one of the new generation of Liverpool players adored as much for their looks as their playing ability. He has angular, East European cheekbones, and long, dark hair and uses a hairband during games to ensure none falls into his eyes. Although some have said he can be a fairly difficult personality to work with, full of emotion and passion, when things are going right for him he is a truly world class player.  

In 98 Berger has requested to stay with the club over the summer and so far has done the job. He has scored almost the same amount of goals as Owen at the begining over the season.  

BORN: Prague, 10.11.73  
TRANSFER FEE: £3,250,000 (from Borussia Dortmund, July 1996).  
GAMES: 0.  
GOALS: 115  
OTHER CLUBS: Slavia Prague, Sparta Prague, Borussia Dortmund.