Watch Liverpool

• Ngog has done a good job, says Javier Mascherano
• Forward has eased pressure on Rafael Benítez

Javier Mascherano has paid tribute to David Ngog for shouldering the “impossible job” of replacing Fernando Torres in the Liverpool attack and easing the pressure on the manager, Rafael Benítez.

A lack of quality cover for Liverpool’s record signing has been a frequent criticism of Benítez this season, with the problem exacerbated by the hernia that has restricted Torres to only one first team start in the past six weeks. Ngog, however, has improved noticeably during the Spaniard’s absence and scored his sixth goal in 15 appearances this term in the 2-1 victory over Wigan Athletic on Wednesday, before Torres stepped from the bench to guarantee three vital points and the headlines late on. Mascherano is adamant the 20-year-old French forward’s contribution during a trying spell for the club should not be overlooked.

“He has taken his chances and it is very important for him,” said the Argentina captain. “As a footballer it is not easy to play all the time if people are expecting David to do the same job that Fernando does. That is not possible. He is under pressure all the time. But quietly he is doing a good job. When he has had to play, he has scored goals. He is trying to do the right thing and he is doing well for the manager.”

Ngog, a £1.5m signing from Paris Saint Germain, is undoubtedly ahead of his anticipated development at Liverpool and his promise has led to a possible conflict at international level, with Cameroon offering the striker a chance to play alongside Samuel Eto’o at next summer’s World Cup. The France under-21 international admitted: “My father is from Cameroon. They have qualified for South Africa and have a very strong team. I like playing for France and have enjoyed every game with the under-21s. I have played for France from a very young level and feel a strong allegiance towards them. But like a lot of French players, I have parents from Africa and I cannot forget that one half of my family is from Cameroon.”

Mascherano, meanwhile, believes the pressure of overcoming a bleak situation with Argentina to help Diego Maradona’s team qualify for the World Cup has provided the mental strength to cope with Liverpool’s struggle to retain a top-four finish in the Premier League.

The midfielder said: “I have spoken a lot about that situation with the manager [Benítez]. The pressure with Argentina to put them in the World Cup was worse; not because it is my country and Liverpool is my club. Here you have a little bit more time to do the right things. We know that we have to keep winning if we want to be in the top four but we have a game every week. In Argentina, I would go for two games then have three or four months to wait for the next one to put it right. It has been good to have that experience.”

LiverpoolRafael BenítezFernando TorresPremier LeagueAndy Hunterguardian.co.uk