[lfc-news] Baros winning battle to lead Reds Euro line - Echo

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Liverpool Echo, 7 Dec 2004
Baros winning battle to lead Reds Euro line
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

MILAN BAROS today launched his last gasp bid to be fit for Liverpool's
crunch Champions League clash with Olympiakos.

The striker was undergoing a fitness test on his hamstring at the Reds'
Melwood training ground this morning, with manager Rafa Benitez confident
of declaring the Czech hotshot available.

Baros hasn't played for his club since his hat-trick against Crystal Palace
three weeks ago, but Benitez needs all the firepower he can get for a game
valued at £5m.

Liverpool's hopes were helped today when Deportivo La Coruna manager Javier
Irureta insisted his side won't throw in the towel against Monaco. A defeat
for the French in the other Group A fixture ensures any win by Liverpool is
enough to reach the last 16.

But with their Spanish opponents having nothing left to play for, there are
fears a Monaco victory is a formality.

If Didier Deschamp's side is successful, Liverpool must keep a clean sheet,
otherwise they will have to beat Olympiakos by two goals at Anfield.

Worryingly, Irureta is expected to rest Deportivo's star players, such as
Silva and Valeron, but he's promised his side will go all out for victory.

"It is necessary to win for our own pride," said the Spanish coach. "And in
the Champions League, you get money every time you win a game. Our
supporters demand a win and a good performance. It will give us a
satisfactory end."

Benitez needs to reshuffle his midfield because Dietmar Hamann is
suspended. Steven Gerrard is likely to line-up alongside Xabi Alonso, with
Harry Kewell partnering Baros in a more conventional 4-4-2 line up.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have been alerted to Nicolas Anelka's uncertain future
at Manchester City, but remain undecided whether to pursue the ex-Anfield
striker.

Anelka is believed to be keen on a return to Merseyside, where he was a
popular figure. The 25-year-old enjoyed a successful loan spell in 2002
until he was controversially overlooked for a permanent deal as Liverpool
signed El-Hadji Diouf.

City have placed an £8m price tag on their want-away striker.

Benitez is still pondering several striking options, and until the club's
financial situation becomes clearer he still has no idea how much money
will be available in January,

Unconfirmed reports in Spain suggest Fernando Morientes - another Benitez
target - has already decided to return to Monaco in the New Year.


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