[lfc-news] Mark Lawrenson column - Post

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Liverpool Daily Post, 17 Aug 2004
Time for Baros to prove his worth for Liverpool
By Mark Lawrenson, Daily Post

WHEN you are out of the spotlight, it is easy to talk and talk about all
the things you would do if you were in it.

But when the glare of attention swings on to you, it is a different thing
entirely to back up your words with action.

That is the reason why I will be watching Milan Baros's performances with
interest in the coming few weeks.

Until Michael Owen left for Madrid, Baros - despite his excellent showing
in Euro 2004 - was only going to be first reserve behind the Englishman and
Djibril Cisse.

That was despite all his inter-views in Portugal and since his return in
which he has spoken about how he wants to be a first choice to score goals
for Liverpool.

However now Owen is on his way, Baros has got exactly what he wished for
and suddenly finds himself under a massive amount of pressure.

For all Baros's time at the club, Owen has been the spearhead for
Liverpool, but now he is cast in that role and people will be looking to
him to fill Michael's footsteps - with help from Cisse,, who looks a class
act so far.

It is a daunting task, because Owen, and before him Robbie Fowler, John
Aldridge and Ian Rush, have all been fantastic goal-scorers for Liverpool.

Cisse has already shown enough in his few games to suggest he will be among
the goals and it is up to Baros to match his partner and form a partnership
that can take Liverpool forward.

Either individually or as a pair, they have to replace a Liverpool legend
in Owen and score the same level of goals - game-breaking goals - that the
number 10 used to on a regular basis.

How they handle that responsibility will say a lot about them as
footballers and people. In my opinion, it is a fantastic opportunity for
two players who must be hungry to succeed, and if they can perform then the
attacker I believe Rafael Benitez is certain to bring in in the near future
will be to augment them and not replace one of them as first choice.

A firing front pair will mean Benitez's job as manager will be a lot easier.

Certainly he has come out of the Owen situation well and while I haven't
seen anything of Antonio Nunez, I am willing to trust Benitez's judgement
on the player.

Obviously Juanfran was his first choice, but after that became impossible,
he chose Nunez from Real Madrid's squad, so that must be a good sign.

Benitez's influence was apparent at Tottenham on Saturday, with Cisse
taking his goal well and the rest of the team working hard and looking
solid - up to a point.

In a way it was a bit of a flashback to last season in that Liverpool held
a lead but could not keep it. It reminded me also of England in Euro 2004
when they were unable to keep teams at arm's length.

Having said that, it was the first game of the season and I couldn't blame
Benitez for being a bit cautious.

However if it is three months down the line and Liverpool play Tottenham
again, I would look to them to build on their first goal and go on to win
by two or three.

The best teams like Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea are capable of
taking games away from their opponents. To join that elite, Liverpool must
be capable of doing the same and I know Benitez understands that.

That is why I expect a much more positive performance against Manchester
City this week. Hey, it's Manchester City, and one thing about them is that
if you put them under pressure they will crack.

By the same token you don't want to invite Robbie Fowler, Nicolas Anelka or
Shaun Wright-Phillips on to you, so Benitez must get his team pressing all
the time to earn the victory.

IF THE reports are true, then I am delighted to see Steve Morgan expanding
his stake in Liverpool.

Above all else, Morgan is a supporter through and through and you know he
will not be selling his shares six months down the line for a quick profit.

I just hope he will be able to settle his differences with David Moores and
that they can work together to take the club forward.

It is a new era at Anfield now, so the time is right to settle old scores
and try to make the club better.

With Rafael Benitez in place, there is a blank canvas in place which they
would do well to use to its fullest extent.


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