Milan Baros Bio Send To Friend  

The Czech Republic international, top scorer at Euro 2004, spent almost four years at Liverpool but despite enjoying patching of scoring form he never became the scoring sensation the Reds hoped he would.

And when boss Rafael Benitez began his rebuilding programme after the Champions League success in May 2005 it soon became clear Baros would be on his way.

He was left out of all of Liverpool's Champions League qualifiers over the summer so as not to cup-tie him for European football.

Baros was linked with a number of clubs as the transfer deadline approached. French champions Lyon, managed by former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier, actually made the highest bid, of £8.5million, but the striker turned down Champions League football in favour of remaining in the Premiership with Villa.

The forward was signed by Liverpool from Banik Ostrava for £3.6million at the beginning of November 2001, but a series of delays and setbacks meant he didn't complete the move until December 21.

Liverpool loaned him back to his previous club to keep him fit while they sorted out the problems, and at one stage it looked as though the move may be scuppered.

The Reds had their initial work permit application rejected by the Department of Employment, as he had not played in 75 per cent of the Czech Republic's internationals over the previous two years. Liverpool won their appeal due to his 'outstanding talent'.

At Banik, he was nicknamed the 'Ostravan Maradona', and he had scored in his first two internationals for the Czechs.

His progress was initially hampered by a ruling about the number of non-EU players a team could name in their 16-man squad. His only appearance in his first season was as a late substitute in a 0-0 draw at Barcelona in the Champions League.

However, the relaxation of the rules for the 2002/03 season increased his first team opportunities. He featured in the first game of that campaign, a 1-0 FA Community Shield defeat against Arsenal.

And he earned his Premiership debut against Bolton Wanderers in September 2002 - and scored twice as Liverpool won 3-2. His goals oozed class.

His pace and drive became a feature of the Liverpool side, although he was often used from the substitutes' bench, and he grabbed nine Premiership goals in his first season.

Baros began the 2003/04 campaign as first choice striker alongside Michael Owen, but struggled to get off the mark. And his season was halted in mid-September as he broke his ankle when going for the ball with former Liverpool defender Markus Babbel, playing for Blackburn.

The striker was forced to have an operation, which would rule him out until February.

He returned to fitness to earn a place in the Czech squad for Euro 2004 - where he became a real star of the European game.

After scoring in the first game, an equaliser against Latvia, he bagged the dramatic leveller against Holland and the late winner versus Germany to land top spot in Group D for the Czech Republic.

His rich vein of form continued into the quarter finals, as his brace helped blow away Denmark.

Although the Czech lost to Greece in the semi-finals, Baros' five goals won him the Golden Boot.

That form led to interest from other clubs and, after failing to get a decent run in the Liverpool team, it looked as though his Anfield career could be over.

But he pledged his future to the club, and the departure of Owen prior to the start of the 2004/05 season confirmed his position within the Liverpool squad.

Baros had been linked with both Real Madrid and Barcelona, but he said: 'I have heard all the rumours about Real Madrid and Barcelona supposedly being interested in me and of course it is nice to see clubs like that wanting you.

'But I am back at Liverpool now ready for a new season and I want to stay here and play as many games as I can.'

He scored his first goal of the season in a 2-1 home win over Manchester City but netted only 13 goals for Liverpool in all competitions - nine in the Premiership.

Despite helping the Reds to the Carling Cup final and Champions League glory boss Benitez opted to cash in his chips.

He scored 27 goals for the club in 108 appearances, 41 of those from the bench.

While Baros has undoubted talent, he does have a tendency to run with his head down and lacks awareness of those around him.

Villa boss David O'Leary will hope to harness his potential over the course of his four-year contract.