I knew when I came here that it would be difficult to break into the side and so from that point of view, Im not surprised that I havent played so far. I am prepared to work hard and wait for my chance. If I am good enough - and I believe I am - then I will get an opportunity to prove myself at some stage. I just have to make sure I take it. - Milan Baros, January 2002.
Make no mistake about it - Liverpool supporters were just as gobsmacked at Milan Baros Golden Boot at Euro 2004 and subsequent tabloid speculation linking him with the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona. Having signed for the Reds in the summer of 2002 for £3.2 million, the Czech international proceeded to struggle for both game-time and goals, registering a sum total of 14 strikes in 60 appearances before his bizarre breakthrough in Portugal. His five goals at the tournament stayed the executioners hand at Anfield and he was granted another season at the club, where he continued to struggle - bagging just 13 goals in 47 appearances. However, while his time at the club was a personal struggle at times, the former Czech international wont have forgotten his Premier League bow in a hurry. With Liverpool talisman Michael Owen looking below par during the season, Gerard Houllier decided to drop the Anfield favourite for the trip to the Reebok Stadium in September 2002, granting Baros his first Premier League appearance for the club. The French managers faith was instantly rewarded, with the former Banik Ostrava hitman bagging two strikes as the Reds ran out 3-2 winners, leaving a very surly England international to stew on the bench.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
