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.

PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Vladimir Smicer

Vladimir Smicer : Midfielder (1999-2005)
Date of Birth: 24-5-1973
Birthplace: Decin, Czech Republic
Debut : Sheffield Wednesday - 7 August 1999 (a) Premiership: won 2-1
1st team games: 183
1st team goals: 19
Other clubs: Slavia Prague, RC Lens, Bordeaux
International caps while with Liverpool: 75
International goals while with Liverpool: 27
Honours with Liverpool: Worthington Cup 2001, FA Cup 2001, UEFA Cup 2001, Worthington Cup 2003, Champions League 2005

PROFILE
Vladimir Smicer left Liverpool for Bordeaux in the summer of 2005 just weeks after signing off in style by playing a crucial role in the Champions League win over AC Milan.

Coming on as a substitute for Harry Kewell, Smicer scored the Reds second goal in the memorable comeback and also scored Liverpool's deciding penalty in the vital penalty shoot-out before Jerzy Dudek's save from Shevchenko. It was a sweet reward for Smicer who returned to action in February 2005 after missing most of the 2004/05 season after a knee operation.

The Czech international first arrived at Anfield in 1999 and joined his close friend Patrik Berger at Liverpool.
An attacking midfielder, Smicer first shot to prominence in 1996, helping Slavia Prague reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup and then starring for the Czech Republic during their run to the final of Euro 96.

He then moved on to French club RC Lens where he enjoyed more success - inspiring the club to a first ever-French title in 1997/98.

In June 1999 he was recruited by Liverpool to fill the void left by the departure of Steve McManaman to Real Madrid. His first campaign in the Premiership was a difficult one as he struggled to come to terms with the pace of the English game and his cause was not helped a succession of injuries.

The 2000/2001 season saw Vladimir fare much better, whether it be on the flanks or behind the front two. Having got to grips with life in the Premiership and regaining full fitness he showed in glimpses just what he is really capable of and played an important role in the Reds treble cup triumph.

Unfortunately he was plagued with injury problems and lack of consistency but he did have some good moments like the last minute winner against Chelsea in 2002 and the performance in the 2-0 win over Roma in the Champions League at Anfield, and then the perfect ending his Champions League Final heroics of 2005 that ensured that he'll forever be remembered as legend on the Kop.