Hungry Anelka seeks Eastern promise

Alex Hayes at Upton Park watches a French enigma try to rediscover fitness and finesse

Those who had come to Upton Park expecting Nicolas Anelka to add to the Christmas cheer on Merseyside left disappointed. Instead, it fell to Liverpool's traditional saviour, Michael Owen, to teach the Frenchman a short, but highly effective, lesson in the art of goalscoring.

Anelka was not exactly a sinner yesterday – although his back-to-back misses in the first half were criminal – but he has clearly not yet rediscovered the scoring touch that made him such a feared predator in his previous Premiership incarnation. Compare Anelka's goal-to-chance ratio with that of Owen and it is clear why he needs to keep working hard. "He'll get there," insisted Phil Thompson, Liverpool's caretaker manager.

At least there is genuine hope in Liverpool that the former Arsenal, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain striker will knuckle down. His ability has never been in question but, as ever with mercurial talents, his commitment has sometimes left a lot to be desired. Yesterday, there was no sign of apathy. Hardly surprising, really, when you consider that he was making his full debut on this only his second appearance for the club. Indeed, the only genuine shock at Upton Park was to find Owen on the bench and Emile Heskey supporting Anelka in attack.

The Frenchman worked hard throughout, dropping back into his own half to assist his defenders or offer an outlay. But one solid performance does not a good signing make and there is plenty of time left, even during the six months of his loan deal, for Anelka to confirm the views of his critics. Those close to him are suggesting that this is a new, mature Anelka, one who cares for his club and team-mates.

One important variable you could also add to that list is the player's determination to make it to the World Cup next summer. Having just missed out on the triumph on home soil in 1998, Anelka is anxious not to give the French manager, Roger Lemerre, an excuse to leave him behind.

If Anelka was hoping to show his more compassionate side, he succeeded after 25 minutes when he ran half the length of the pitch to assist the injured Heskey. If he was trying to prove that he has not lost his scoring touch, though, his double miss on the half-hour mark left a lot to be desired. Gathering possession on the edge of the West Ham box, Anelka turned and shot too close to David James. The keeper spilled the ball, but Anelka's left-foot riposte fell kindly into James' arms.

In the long term, Liverpool's brand of counter-attacking football should suit Anelka. He has excellent pace and likes to play high up the line, often on the shoulder of the last defender. Once he has rediscovered his fitness and finesse, the Frenchman could thrive at Anfield. As for the big question as to whether he and Owen can play together, the answer would appear to be yes. Thompson even believes that Anelka, Owen and Heskey can operate in the same team. "I thought Nicolas did really well," he said. "I had not planned to play him for the whole match, but we were chasing the game and he was playing an important role. He can only get better."

Owen adapted well to his new role as the deeper-lying striker, while Anelka made clever runs down the channels to free up space in the centre. Thompson was so impressed that he decided to persevere with the attacking trio until the final whistle. In fact, he even added Jari Litmanen to the equation for the final 15 minutes, as Liverpool desperately tried to salvage a point. The ploy worked and Anelka, though not directly involved with the equaliser, can be happy with his efforts. Twice late in the second half he battled for possession on the edge of the West Ham area, setting up good opportunities.

The goal, though, came courtesy of the usual source. Anelka may be quick, dangerous and capable of scoring goals, but Owen remains top dog at Anfield.