 First @-@ team opportunities became limited in Berger 's second season . Despite scoring a hat @-@ trick against Chelsea in October 1997 , he often found himself named as a substitute . His dissatisfaction at manager Roy Evans placed his Liverpool career in jeopardy . Evans criticised Berger 's perceived indifference to teamwork and publicly expressed a willingness to sell after he refused to be used as a substitute against Bolton Wanderers in March 1998 . Berger was linked with a move away from Liverpool in May 1998 , with Italian club A.S. Roma , the manager of which was his countryman Zdeněk Zeman , and Portuguese club Benfica both mentioned as possible destinations . The appointment of Gérard Houllier as co @-@ manager before the 1998 – 99 season and subsequent departure of Evans proved to be pivotal in Berger 's decision to remain with the club . 
