The exciting prodigy has since won the admiration of an adoring Anfield faithful with a series of displays full of pace and trickery not seen since a young Michael Owen first made his name at Anfield.
"I did have my doubts at the start of the season because I kept asking myself if I had made the right choice coming here," admitted Pongolle.
"You always tell yourself that you can keep your head up and break through, but this is a squad of 26 players and every one of those is an international. In that situation it is tough.
While making an impact at a club of the stature of Liverpool proved initially troublesome for Pongolle, the presence of Anfield captain Steven Gerrard has clearly helped the youngster grow used to the rigours of the English game.
Pongolle added: "My role model is Stevie Gerrard - I love him, and it is as much for his lifestyle as his style of playing on the park that I say that. He deserves to be captain of Liverpool."