Does Milan Baros have a future at LFC?

[soccer365-old]

I was going to throw this into the "Transfer rumors..etc" thread but i felt that it was a topic worth discussing.

Over the past few days stories have leaked out that Milan Baros is unhappy not being a regular in the squad. Baros, himself has admitted that "All I want is to play regularly. If it's not going to be here, then I hope that I will get a good offer from elsewhere."

Baros has scored some very important goals for us this season. But most of his goals have come against lower table opposition. He didn't link well with Cisse at the beginning of the season, and has struggled to form an effective partnership with Morientes. Watching Baros play you sometimes wonder if he realises that he has players wearing the same color shirt to pass to.

There were moments earlier this season when I thought Milan had turned the corner. His performance against Newcastle was expceptional. He set-up Neil Mellor for a goal and scored an impressive goal himself.

But you have to wonder about his future at the club. Let's face it, he wasn't purchased by Rafa last summer and with Cisse coming back in August, does Milan have a future at LFC?

[Matt Clark]

Of course he does. For a start, you're using Houllier-era quotes from Baros to frame the current situation. For a second, the stories of a bust-up following his omission from the starting line-up on Sunday are unlikely to prove true (as is the case with the one about Hyypia too, one might add). For a third, whilst it's true that he has issues around teamplay, the situation as regards Cisse is hardly instructive. They must have played less than 10 games together. By the same token, nothing can be inferred about his partnership with Morientes - they have played together even less.

And finally, there is little or nothing to substantiate the "not playing regularly" angle. He was rightfully dropped for a few games at the start of the season and was injured for about two months. But when fit and available, he has played, his total in the League is now 15 games and there is little to suggest he will not play (and usually from the start) in our remaining 11 games.

[soccer365-old]

Of course he does. For a start, you're using Houllier-era quotes from Baros to frame the current situation. .

"All I want is to play regularly. If it's not going to be here, then I hope that I will get a good offer from elsewhere." - Today's newspapers

Since you are quick to defend the partnerships of Baros-Cisse or Baros-Morientes, I challenge you to find a striking partner that Baros has played well with (besides Jan Koller).

[Matt Clark]

"All I want is to play regularly. If it's not going to be here, then I hope that I will get a good offer from elsewhere." - Today's newspapers

Oh, well if it says it in today's newspapers, then obviously the words can only just have left his mouth. There's no way a sports hack at a downmarket tabloid would seek to pep up the rumours of a bust-up on Sunday by using ancient quotes to create more of a story ... right?

:rolleyes:

As to the "partnerships" he's had, I'm not defending them. In fact I question the validity of the term. 'Playing the odd game alongside' does not equal 'partnership'.

I'm perfectly happy to acknowledge that he needs to work on his play alongside anothr striker (indeed, I said so in my previous post). But that's hardly a basis for your actual question, which is "does Baros have a future at LFC". I think he does, but even if I didn't it wouldn't be because he has so far failed to get telepathic with either Cisse or Morientes.

[TruReds]

Stupid post, rumour mongering. :rolleyes:

[lackadaisical]

Baros is young so he hasn't played with that many strikers, and at Liverpool has never had a long run of games with another striker. It's unfair to judge him. I think he is a very good player, and Liverpool would regret losing him.

[TruReds]

IMO what was reported of Milan Baros wanting to leave Liverpool in order to get more matches is utter rubbish. This might be true a season ago when he could find himself behind Owen and Heskey in the pecking order and that match appearance is few and far between.

But how things have changed at the club especially the forward department. Firstly, the expected arrival of Cisse, the club's record signing has signalled more competition up front for Baros. But he did himself good by bagging the Golden Boot in Euro'04. :cool:

However the 11th hour decision by Owen to join Real Madrid has vacated a certain starter up for grabs. The lack of depth was further compounded by career-threathening injury to Cisse. This has allowed Baros to become the club's only healthy senior striker. Although he was out of action for awhile due to hamstring, his performance overall has been good, scoring a couple of winning goals for us.

The summer arrival of Morientes, a far more experienced striker whom Rafa had openly admired, has again put Baros' starting position in doubt due to the gaffer's preference of a 4-4-1-1 formation. Despite that, Baros remains a very important member of the club barring Cisse's recovery. Bear in mind that horrendous double fractures to Cisse's leg had meant that he might not even recover fully to his previous level. I'm sure this situation is very clear among the team members.

Hence, Baros might find himself out of favour at times due to tactical but sure enough he knows his importance to the club. He is young and had proven in Euro'04 his talent. I suppose he would be eager to prove himself at the club as opportunity arises after being left in the cold by Houllier previously. That said, I'm confident we can still see Baros stays a Red for a couple more years. ;)

[browfish]

Oh, well if it says it in today's newspapers, then obviously the words can only just have left his mouth. There's no way a sports hack at a downmarket tabloid would seek to pep up the rumours of a bust-up on Sunday by using ancient quotes to create more of a story ... right?


I'm no sports hack, and I don't work for a down (or up, for that matter) market tabloid, but this JUST came in:

"...now I want to be here at Liverpool and to stay with the club. Even when things got bad for me, I never regretted coming here and I want to win another contract now."

From 'Baros Keen to Be a Kop Idol' by Paul Eaton
liverpoolfc.tv (13/9/2004)

;)

[ULL NEVER WALK ALONE]

Baros is still young and still has alot to learn,but im sure he still has a future at the club,but if a big team comes in after him,then so be it,BYE BAROS!i have said many times before!¨Cisse and morientes would make a much better partnership than baros and moro¨.

[bjb7223]

No

[AwayKit]

IMO what was reported of Milan Baros wanting to leave Liverpool in order to get more matches is utter rubbish. This might be true a season ago when he could find himself behind Owen and Heskey in the pecking order and that match appearance is few and far between.

But how things have changed at the club especially the forward department. Firstly, the expected arrival of Cisse, the club's record signing has signalled more competition up front for Baros. But he did himself good by bagging the Golden Boot in Euro'04. :cool:

However the 11th hour decision by Owen to join Real Madrid has vacated a certain starter up for grabs. The lack of depth was further compounded by career-threathening injury to Cisse. This has allowed Baros to become the club's only healthy senior striker. Although he was out of action for awhile due to hamstring, his performance overall has been good, scoring a couple of winning goals for us.

The summer arrival of Morientes, a far more experienced striker whom Rafa had openly admired, has again put Baros' starting position in doubt due to the gaffer's preference of a 4-4-1-1 formation. Despite that, Baros remains a very important member of the club barring Cisse's recovery. Bear in mind that horrendous double fractures to Cisse's leg had meant that he might not even recover fully to his previous level. I'm sure this situation is very clear among the team members.

Hence, Baros might find himself out of favour at times due to tactical but sure enough he knows his importance to the club. He is young and had proven in Euro'04 his talent. I suppose he would be eager to prove himself at the club as opportunity arises after being left in the cold by Houllier previously. That said, I'm confident we can still see Baros stays a Red for a couple more years. ;)

I'm not sure if you are making a case for him staying or going. You've outlined a bit of evidence that he may want to move on, so as to be first choice somewhere else.

[AwayKit]

I think Baros leaving would be a loss to our club. He's young and talented. If he can develop his game to improve his awareness, and be patient, he's sure to get more playing time as Morientes ages.

[TruReds]

I'm not sure if you are making a case for him staying or going. You've outlined a bit of evidence that he may want to move on, so as to be first choice somewhere else.

Of course I'm rooting for Baros to stay, didn't I make it clear? :) I was analysing the situations surrounding him during and post-Houllier. Never was it clearer to him that he IS our main striker (and my man ;) ). Therefore, he should be appreciative that this is the primary chance available to him. Furthermore, I think he's mature enough to know that his occassional ommission from starting is due to tactical decisions by El Rafa.

[lfcfan858]

I think Baros leaving would be a loss to our club. He's young and talented. If he can develop his game to improve his awareness, and be patient, he's sure to get more playing time as Morientes ages. I think this is well put.

By "patient", do you mean patient tactically (instead of trying to bulldoze through two defenders to get in front of goal), or do you mean patient with gaining a regular starting role? I do believe that with maturity and awareness Baros can become better rounded as a forward. If this happens, we'll surely be glad we kept him. However, as our need for goals is immediate, I think an important question is whether or not Baros can find it in himself to stay while facing the likely possibility of Cisse (in my opinion, the more currently developed and rounded forward) starting ahead of him.

[AwayKit]

I think this is well put.

By "patient", do you mean patient tactically (instead of trying to bulldoze through two defenders to get in front of goal), or do you mean patient with gaining a regular starting role? I do believe that with maturity and awareness Baros can become better rounded as a forward. If this happens, we'll surely be glad we kept him. However, as our need for goals is immediate, I think an important question is whether or not Baros can find it in himself to stay while facing the likely possibility of Cisse (in my opinion, the more currently developed and rounded forward) starting ahead of him.

I meant patient as in playing time. I was suggesting awareness and development for the example you described; but I don't think we disagree.

I would suggest Morientes is the would be solution for immediate goals and that Cisse and Baros, neither being a Rafa signing, are in even standings for playing time. Baros may even have the edge due to his time with Rafa's system.

[lfcfan858]

...and that Cisse and Baros, neither being a Rafa signing, are in even standings for playing time.I'm not so sure I agree on this when I think about their playing styles. Granted, we've only seen Cisse for a short while before his unfortunate injury, but during that time I saw that he can choose to hold the ball up and pass for the sake of keeping possession, whereas Baros's hunger for goals sometimes overrides his decision making. I'm remembering a couple of times that I even saw Djbril get to the touchline and send in a decent cross. Baros may even have the edge due to his time with Rafa's system. Yes, I agree that in this respect he will have the advantage over Cisse. I just don't think at this time he is as developed as Cisse. If it were up to me (and it's not ;)), I would pick the French League's leading scorer over the Euro 2004 Golden Boot.

[AwayKit]

I'm not so sure I agree on this when I think about their playing styles. Granted, we've only seen Cisse for a short while before his unfortunate injury, but during that time I saw that he can choose to hold the ball up and pass for the sake of keeping possession, whereas Baros's hunger for goals sometimes overrides his decision making. I'm remembering a couple of times that I even saw Djbril get to the touchline and send in a decent cross. Yes, I agree that in this respect he will have the advantage over Cisse. I just don't think at this time he is as developed as Cisse. If it were up to me (and it's not ;)), I would pick the French League's leading scorer over the Euro 2004 Golden Boot.

I'm looking forward to such a choice. :)

[dcc134]

While he certainly has some talent and a nose for goal, he certainly has some improving to do. Its not just that he hasn't shown the ability to link up with his strike partners, its that he is such a head down charge towards goal kind of player, that he has failed to show the ability to link up with any of his teammates.

I think the jury is very much still out on whether or not he will become a top line striker in the EPL.

[Suss]

I would pick the French League's leading scorer over the Euro 2004 Golden Boot.

I don't think people realize how serious Cisse's injury was. If not for the pitch side doctors, he may have needed to have his leg amputated. We can't just assume he will be back next year, or that he will be the same player. Especially since his main asset is his pace. He really hope he heals fully because he does have the potential to be an unbelievable talent.

[DevoDinho]

I don't think people realize how serious Cisse's injury was. If not for the pitch side doctors, he may have needed to have his leg amputated. We can't just assume he will be back next year, or that he will be the same player. Especially since his main asset is his pace. He really hope he heals fully because he does have the potential to be an unbelievable talent.

I totally agree with Suss. He HAD the perfect combination: Pace, Power and Size...without a doubt he had tremendous upside in the EPL. With the injury he suffered however, he may never play again let alone have the kind of power pace he once possessed. Which is not to say he will not be any good when he returns (see Ed McCafferey a few years ago with the Denver Broncos who sufferred the same injury and came back) but I doubt he will be the same again...good thing we got Moro when we did.