Bruno ready to punch his weight

Last updated : 24 July 2003 By Chris Maxwell
The 25-year-old former Lile star was dubbed the 'new Zidane' by manager Gerard Houllier upon his arrival at Liverpool, but his lacklustre displays for the club served only to remind fans of another Frenchman, Bernard Diomede.

With the purchase of Harry Kewell and the eye-catching pre-season form of Vladimir Smicer already adding to the pressure on the French international, Cheyrou knows that he must make use of his considerable talent sooner rather then later.

Cheyrou said:"My first year at Liverpool was an adaptation year. As the manager said, I needed time to settle down into the club and in the country.

"You always expect to do more than I did last year but now I can only do better. I think at the beginning the boss thought I should sit back and analyse the games, watching how different it is in England and even the decisions the referees made.

"That's what I did, but I know I didn't settle quickly. I know I wasn't at my best. When you are playing well, scoring goals and getting selected in the team regularly your confidence improves. Sadly for me, that never happened at all last season."

All I do know is if I play my best football and do the job expected of me I will play a lot more games. I can help Liverpool win more titles but to do that I have to reach my best level. Then it can be a good season for me."