Milan Baros did not have conflicts with his management during his tenure at Anfield, despite being a member of the underdog Liverpool team that won the Champions League in 2005.
When Rafa Benitez had to sell Michael Owen within weeks of his arrival at Anfield, it left a big void that had to be filled.
Throw in Milan Baros, signed by Liverpool two years earlier for an undisclosed fee, and the Czech star would have his best goal-scoring season in a Red shirt en route to a Champions League triumph. He remains one of only four Czech men to have won the competition and, almost two decades after that iconic night in Istanbul, is still playing 42 years later on Saturday.
Baros continues to play for amateur side FK Vigantice in his homeland, redeeming his time as a professional after a third stint with boyhood club Banik Ostrava in 2020.
He made his name in the Premier League by signing Gerard Houllier as Liverpool looked to end their wait for a top-flight breakthrough. However, two seasons later he found himself in charge of a team struggling to break into the top four.
Liverpool finished fifth, but in an incredible turn of events took Europe by storm, facing Juventus, Chelsea and then AC Milan. Baros started the final in Turkey, playing 85 minutes before Djibril Cissé was brought on as a substitute, but only after publicly complaining about Benitezand’s selection plans.
He said it is not true that I had or had quarrels with Benítez, but what bothers me is that when I am fit I only warm the bench. Or when Benítez takes me off during a game, even if I haven’t used all my energy on the pitch. I have to play. Only then will I be better than now.andquot.
Just 12 months earlier, Baros highlighted his goalscoring prowess to the whole of Europe as his Czech side finished in the top four at Euro 2004. They won a group that included the Netherlands and the Germans, scoring against both when he was on target. the best scorer of the tournament.
Had Houllier not been sacked this summer, Baros could be on his bike. There’s no point bragging about the guy who just scored the most EC points on your team. Cristiano Ronaldo, Antoine Griezmann and David Villa have topped other European tournaments this century.
The Czech is known to have played better for his country than his club, but he denied that and claimed Merseyside struggled because of Houllier.
Baros claimed: Houllier took away my confidence. I wasn’t selected and thought it would be best to leave Liverpool in the summer. I was really hurt when I wasn’t on the sideline. I was fine and I felt it was unfair. But now a new coach has arrived and the situation has changed. All players will start in the same position next season under Rafael Benitez.
We all have something to prove. Now that the old manager is gone, I want to stay and be a part of it. I can only hope that I can carry that form next season and I’m sure I can.andquot;
Baros would be consistent in what was an inconsistent season for Liverpool as a club, but their run to the Champions League final proved crucial. The match is best remembered for Steven Gerrardand’s contribution. The captain scored the goal that started the comeback before winning a penalty that leveled the contest.
During his time at Anfield, the striker struggled with Gerard Houllier
However, Gerrard praised Baros for the drive into the box that allowed Xabi Alonso to make it 3-3 on the night. He said in his autobiography: “I ran after it. I hoped Baros had seen me. When he did, I was done. Baros heard my request and discovered me by touch. Baros was considered selfish when he was in Liverpool, but he showed incredible awareness that night in Istanbul.
Despite an impressive first year under Benitez, the Spaniard’s mind was elsewhere as he tried to find new men to lead his side. He signed Fernando Morientes, then Peter Crouch and Cisse started to deliver more consistently, which meant Baros was surplus to requirements and also moved to Aston Villa. Barosandi’s £6.5m switch saw him spend just 18 months at Villa Park, with the forward admitting he should have stayed at Anfield and bided his time knowing opportunities would have presented themselves. long season
“Rafa came to me and said he wanted to bring Peter Crouch. That meant I was the second or third choice, said Baros. – At the time it seemed like an easy decision, but if I could go back to that moment now, I would choose to stay. It is many games in the season and I have one more chance. Now I know it was a bad decision. I wish I would have stayed and been patient.”
In January 2007, with his time in England coming to an end, it was time to look further afield and despite previous criticism from Houllier, the Frenchman came to strike a second time as he looked to increase his firepower. Lyon front line.
On the move, Baros said it wasn’t a big problem, so when he wanted to re-sign me for Lyon, I was grateful for another chance to play at another successful club.
He would go on to win the Ligue 1 title in France and then return to the Premier League on loan at Portsmouth, where he won the FA Cup winner’s medal in 2008. The Czech striker would have the most productive season of his career by moving to Turkey. , scored 26 goals for Galatasaray in the 2008/09 season.
He added the Super League winners’ medal to his CV in 2012 before returning home to end his career.
