[lfc-news] Benitez blast could cost Baros - PA

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PA Sport, 11 May 2005
BENITEZ BLAST COULD COST BAROS

Milan Baros has criticised boss Rafa Benitez for continually
substituting him as the fight between the Czech star and Djibril Cisse
to lead Liverpool's attack in the Champions League final intensifies.

It is clear that fit-again Cisse is now a genuine candidate to play from
the start in the May 25 clash with AC Milan in Istanbul.

Baros and Cisse - back from a broken leg - played a half each in
Liverpool's defeat at Arsenal on Sunday, with the Frenchman figuring
prominently in a vastly-improved second-half display by the Anfield men.

Now it is likely that Cisse will start his first Premiership game on
Sunday - at home to Aston Villa - since breaking his leg at Blackburn in
October.

The match will give the Kop the chance to give their heroes a send-off
for Istanbul in their last league match of the season.

Benitez will then have to make a choice between the strikers for the
European final.

Baros - who has been substituted 22 times in 43 appearance this season -
will have done his cause no good by attacking Benitez's selection policy
in an interview with Czech newspaper Pravo.

Baros said: "It is not true that I had or have had disputes with
Benitez, but I am annoyed that when I'm fit I only warm the bench. Or
when Benitez takes me off during a game even if I haven't used up all my
energy on the pitch. I need to play. Only then will I be better than I
am now."

This is the second time this season Baros has gone into print to
criticise Benitez. It happened after the Carling Cup final when Baros
was left out of the starting line-up, coming on as a late substitute for
Fernando Morientes.

Baros was rumoured to have been furious with that decision at the team
hotel in Cardiff - something he denied - but Benitez pointedly told him
after the match to do his talking on the pitch.

The 23 year-old could well be sold in the summer but says: "I have not
said I am going to leave Liverpool. I have some offers, but this is my
agent Pavel Paska's job.

"If I leave the Reds I would like to play in a team which would be at
least at the same level as Liverpool in regard to playing in European
competitions. And I would like to play there constantly."

It is believed Valencia and Fiorentina are interested and there is even
speculation in the Czech Republic that Everton are also watching the
situation.

On that speculation, Baros says: "No comment. Speculation is good for
nothing. This question will be answered at the end of the season. Then
we will deal with it with my agent.

"Of course it would be much better to speak about offers with a
Champions League medal."

Cisse is just delighted to even be in with a chance of playing in the
biggest game of his life.

His injury was initially considered so bad that he was ruled out for the
season, and even admitted later that he feared his leg was going to be
amputated.

Now he says: "It feels fantastic just to be involved in the big games we
have at the moment. I came to Liverpool for the kind of excitement we
are experiencing.

"I just wish the season wouldn't end because I am really enjoying
myself. It was tough being in the dressing room and watching the lads
prepare for the Carling Cup final and the other big games this season
but I just had to get on with it.

"Working hard in the gym was great for getting rid of my frustrations.
My fitness is coming back slowly and I am trying to find the level I had
before."

He added: "My speed is not totally back yet either but that is natural
because I have been out for so long. It is just a matter of time, and I
wish I had a bit more of that."

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