[lfc-news] Ian Rush column - Echo

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Liverpool Echo, 12 April 2005
Baros facing key role in defensive operation
By Ian Rush, Liverpool Echo

DEFENSIVE excellence is essential if Liverpool are to overcome Juventus,
but the key man will be playing at the other end of the park.

Milan Baros' performance could be the difference between both teams.
He's going to have to play an unselfish, but crucial role.

Whenever we went away in Europe during our heyday, we employed the
system I expect Rafa Benitez to use in Turin.

It was always 4-4-1-1, with Kenny Dalglish playing deep enough to make
an extra midfielder.

The instructions to me were clear.

Basically, work harder than you've ever done before, keep the ball as
much as possible and don't allow their defenders any time or space to
start attacks.

I had no illusions about my responsibility going into those memorable games.

Sometimes, I didn't expect to get a chance. I knew I was in the side for
a specific purpose, helping my defenders and midfielders get some relief
because, more often than not, you're going to spend most of the game in
your own half.

We enjoyed some fantastic away performances playing this way,
particularly in games where the first leg left the outcome of the tie in
the balance.

A lot of people mention our semi-final win away in Bucharest in 1984,
when I was on the scoresheet.

For me, the crucial night was much earlier.

We played Atletico Bilbao in the second round. After drawing 0-0 at
Anfield in the first leg, the Spanish side thought they had done all the
hard work. Then we played a classic European match and when a chance
came our way, we took it.

I didn't have many opportunities, but the goal came from a right-footed
Alan Kennedy cross and my header. Both rarities.

Baros may only get one chance himself tomorrow. When it comes, he's got
to put it away.

He'll spend most of the night doing the kind of ugly work which no
striker looks forward to, but the rewards will come his way if he shows
his strength of character.

If Liverpool get the right result, it will be as good as anything the
club has produced since we last won the European Cup.

The UEFA Cup run in 2001 was fantastic, and the 0-0 draw in Barcelona
and 2-0 win in Rome were memorable in their own right.

But I think a draw in Turin would eclipse those achievements.

Juventus are a formidable side, while Liverpool will clearly be under
strength, but I'm sure the players will rise to the occasion.

If they reach the semi-finals, it will be an achievement to stand
alongside all our most famous European results.

Alonso must be risked

I DON'T see much choice but to risk Xabi Alonso against Juventus tomorrow.

The injury to Steven Gerrard leaves Rafa Benitez short of midfielders,
so Alonso will have to play some part.

Even if Alonso can only play an hour, it will at least offer some
quality in the centre of midfield.

A few people have suggested to me that Jamie Carragher could fill a
central midfield role, but I disagree.

I want to see Carra at the heart of the defence. There's no point
upsetting another area of the side and moving too many players around.

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