After spells with Brest and Montpellier he joined PSG for £4

After spells with Brest and Montpellier, he joined PSG for £4.5m two years ago and played 10 games in the Champions’ League last season.Robert could have been playing for his new club in the Uefa Cup this season but Newcastle – without their Intertoto Cup-tied Frenchman – failed to negotiate their final qualification hurdle at St James’ Park on Tuesday night. Three late goals salvaged the respectability of a 4-4 draw against Troyes (and a knock-out by the same score on the away-goals ruling) but the reality was that Robson’s side were outclassed by the team from champagne country.The Toon Army would settle for brown ale football today, provided it left Sunderland needing to drown some sorrow. Twice in the past two seasons the arch-enemy have penetrated the Toon fortress, winning 2-1 on each occasion. Hopes of averting a hat-trick will be raised by the return of Alan Shearer, who is likely to start on the bench after scoring twice in a specially-arranged practice match against Hartlepool on Wednesday morning.Shearer, significantly, is relishing the prospect of a new source of ammunition as much as being back in the firing line again. “Laurent is the first natural left winger we’ve had at the club for three or four years,” he said.

“From my point of view it’s going to be great having someone putting balls into the box.” Someone with a bit of French fire in his belly, too.. His brow glistening with perspiration from the oppressive heat, Gerard Houllier had that slightly fiery-eyed look of a man who is on a crusade, and is aware that people are finally listening. His brow glistening with perspiration from the oppressive heat, Gerard Houllier had that slightly fiery-eyed look of a man who is on a crusade, and is aware that people are finally listening.
There was mention of Premiership and Champions’ League ambitions, talk which at one time would have been considered idle and dangerous. Now it is greeted with knowing nods, even from the traditionally sceptical media. There were words like “unity” and “trust” being articulated, qualities which have been apparent in recent performances despite the recent much-publicised example of dissent in the Anfield camp involving one of Houllier’s patrol-leaders, Robbie Fowler.There was talk the day before from David Moores, Liverpool’s chairman, comparing Houllier to Bill Shankly in the way he is respected by the players.

“It’s a great compliment, but I think it’s over the top,” the recipient protested after being f?d with “we who are not worthy” gestures by the Anfield faithful following Friday night’s 3-2 Uefa Super Cup triumph over Champions’ League victors Bayern Munich.Later, when the man of the match made his entrance, the Liverpool manager commanded, like some would-be evangelist: “Let’s have a round of applause for Michael.” We duly did his bidding, and it brought a wry smile to the features of young Mr Owen, whose pace had been breathtaking in the first half.Liverpool have been on a roll for so long most of us have forgotten when it started, though Houllier would submit that it goes back to February, when they captured the Worthington Cup. Exactly six months on, his squad again have that all-conquering look about them Friday’s game was a case in point. It was for the most part a compelling display of scintillating, flowing football, albeit that you sensed Bayern Munich had turned up for a testimonial only to discover that the Uefa Cup winners were there for a real game. But that said, no team will want to confront Liverpool in the immediate future. Pity Bolton Wanderers tomorrow night.What can stop the men from Anfield? Most troubling for Houllier (though it is a back-handed compliment to the side he has assembled, too), is that close to half his team could conceivably be involved against Germany on Saturday and Albania the following Wednesday. Then Greece at home, and in all probability, two World Cup qualification play-offs.

Attempting to indulge England’s demands will require a careful strategy, bearing in mind that before the end of October, Liverpool will also be involved in six Champions’ League fixtures and 10 Premier League games.From the wider national perspective, Friday’s contest was as much a proving ground for Steven Gerrard Tomorrow night’s game at Bolton will be no different. The midfielder, who not so long ago was just another young player of potential, has suddenly acquired the mantle of England’s potential match-winner. A superman in all but cape and tights, whose fitness is surveyed by the nation’s football followers with the same avaricious desire for information as royalists when the Queen Mother goes into hospital.Against Bayern he was allowed 65 minutes, was his usual commanding self on the right of midfield and made a significant contribution to Liverpool’s first goal “He did OK,” said Houllier, deliberately non-committal. “I’m sure Sven [Goran Eriksson] must have been relieved when I took him off When you come back from injury you’ve got to be careful. I put his career ahead of the result.”The manager added: “Stevie had a valuable hour and that was enough Don’t forget he played only 20 minutes against Haka I think he’ll be all right.