PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Milan Baros

Milan Baros : Striker
Date of Birth: 28-10-1981
Birthplace: Czech Republic
Debut : v Barcelona, March 2002. Champions League. Drew 0-0.
1st team games: 108
1st team goals: 27
Other clubs: Banik Ostrava
Honours with Liverpool: Champions League 2005, Worthington Cup 2003


PROFILE
Milan Baros bid farewell to Liverpool in August 2005 when he joined Premiership side Aston Villa.

Baros made his last appearance for Liverpool as a substitute in the Premiership 1-0 win over Sunderland at Anfield on August 20th, 2005.

He played his part in Liverpool winning the Champions League and started in the final against AC Milan in Istanbul. Baros played a part in Steven Gerrard winning the penalty which gave Xabi Alonso the chance to make it 3-3.

He was a big fans' favourite at Anfield and was joint top scorer at Liverpool in his final season at the club with 13 goals.

Baros had a very memorable Euro 2004 and was top scorer at the tournament as he hit five goals for the Czech Republic who reached the semi-finals.

Baros had a 2003/04 campaign to forget after a serious leg break at Blackburn ruled him out for six months but the season ended on a high with the Euro 2004 tournament.

Gerard Houllier signed the then little known Baros for 3.5 million in the summer of 2001 but had to wait until he was granted a work permit before arriving at Anfield in December, on the same day Nicolas Anelka was signed.

After a settling in period at Anfield in the reserve team Baros made his breakthrough at Liverpool in the 2002/03 season when he scored 12 goals. He became a Kop favourite and terrorised defenders with his pace and direct running.

Milan scored on his Premiership debut against Bolton when he hit two fantastic goals and hasn't looked back from there.

Strong and skilful, with blistering pace, Baros was dubbed the 'Ostravan Maradona' in his homeland where his impressive form for Banik Ostrava earned him international recognition.

Baros made his Liverpool debut as a substitute for Emile Heskey in Liverpool's Champions League draw against Barcelona at the Nou Camp in March 2002.