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LIVERPOOL FC today announced the appointment of Damien Comolli as director of football strategy.  The Frenchman's brief is to assist with player recruitment at Anfield - here is a look at his track record. 

HITS

Kolo Toure

After a spell coaching with Monaco's youth set-up, Comolli took up the position of European scout at Arsenal in 1996 and spent seven seasons with the club.  As well as being credited with unearthing Emmanuel Eboue and Gael Clichy - both still playing for Arsene Wenger's side with each defender having made more than 150 appearances for the Gunners - Comolli also discovered Kolo Toure. 

The Ivorian centre-back signed in February 2002 from ASEC Mimosas for the bargain price of £150,000.  Toure was part of Wenger's 'Invincibles' who won the Premier League undefeated in 2003-04 and he also picked up FA Cup winners' medals in 2003 and 2005.  The former Arsenal captain left London to join Manchester City in July 2009 for a fee of around £16m - a tidy return from seven years earlier. 

Dimitar Berbatov

Dimitar Berbatov became the most expensive Bulgarian player in history when he departed Bayer Leverkusen for White Hart Lane in May 2006.  Comolli secured his signature in a £10.9m deal and had to battle to pull it off.  Speaking to the Telegraph about the transfer in 2008, the Frenchman said: "I met with Berba and his agent in the hotel and I had given Berba my pen to sign the contract.  Just as he was putting the pen to paper, the phone rings.  The agent excused himself and went out.  Two minutes later he calls Berba out.  For 20 minutes they were gone.  I was thinking 'this is going all wrong'.  They came back and signed.  After it was done the agent told me it was Manchester United - they had tried to stop the deal." 

United eventually got their man but at a price.  Berbatov left Spurs in September 2008 for £30.75m - a deal which saw Fraizer Campbell on a season-long loan and a cool £20m profit on Tottenham's investment heading to White Hart Lane.  The Bulgarian had helped Spurs claim the League Cup in 2008 and netted 46 goals in 102 games for the London side. 

Gareth Bale

Comolli will have watched the start of Tottenham's season with a satisfied smile on his face.  The Frenchman became director of football at White Hart Lane in 2005, replacing Frank Arnesen, and he oversaw the signing of Gareth Bale in May 2007 from Southampton for a fee rising to around £10m. Starting his Spurs career at left-back, Bale made an instant impact with goals against Fulham and Arsenal in his first campaign.  Yet in the first 24 Premier League ties in which the Welshman was involved, Tottenham failed to win a single game, losing 16 and drawing eight. 

How things have changed.  Since being switched to left midfield, Bale has been a revelation and it has shown in his side's results: in the last 24 league games he has played, Spurs have won 13 and drawn five, losing just six times.  His pace, stamina and deadly left foot have made him one of the most dangerous players in world football at the moment - just ask Inter Milan's right-back Maicon who is probably still out of breath from being run ragged by Bale in back-to-back Champions League ties. 

Honourable mentions:

Luka Modric - capable playmaker who has played a big part in Spurs' resurgence. 

Heurelho Gomes - overcame a torrid start to his stint at White Hart Lane to become one of the most respected keepers in England. 

Benoit Assou-Ekotto - solid full-back who works well in tandem with Bale on Tottenham's left flank. 

MISSES

Darren Bent

Signed by Spurs for £16.5m in June 2007 but only managed 18 goals in 60 games and was memorably slated by Harry Redknapp after one miss the Spurs boss reckoned his wife would have buried. 

David Bentley

Made a first-team breakthrough at Arsenal in 2002 and joined Spurs for £15m in 2008 but has yet to justify the rave reviews his early promise indicated. 

Dishonourable mentions:

Gilberto - the anti-Gareth Bale; hauled off on his debut at left-back and things never really got better for him in his one season with Spurs. 

Francis Jeffers - joined Arsenal for £8m from Everton in 2002 after bagging 18 goals in 49 appearances at Goodison but only managed four goals for the Gunners in three years at Highbury and, after a tour of the lower divisions, is currently plying his trade in Australia.