Anfield lean machine ready for big things

The Czech Republic striker was a flop in his debut campaign at Anfield, held back by too much weight and a sloppy attitude.

But despite some abortive summer attempts to move him out on loan, Liverpool were left with Baros. Now he has suddenly become an unlikely contender for a start.

Leaner and meaner, Baros comes complete with a genuine threat and he proved his re-emergence was for real by heading in the second of Liverpool's two first-half goals here.

'This is the Milan Baros I scouted myself,' said a beaming Houllier. 'Milan is a different player now, he's lost some weight and his fitness level is better.

'He's a good striker, he runs forward and across all the time. I don't think Paolo Maldini knew how to handle him.'

His goal came when Steven Gerrard - a comforting sight back in midfield - curled over a slanting cross and the shaven-headed Baros bustled in to bury a fine header.

Liverpool already led from another unlikely source after Milan's Croatian Dario Simi thundered a half-volley past his own goalkeeper Nelson Dida from a deep Gerrard free-kick. The ball was going long, only for Simic to convert in some style on the half-hour to turn a game which was in danger of going from a doze into a coma.

The win ensured Liverpool finished third of four in the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy - held as the climax of Real Madrid's centenary celebrations - losing only to the magnificent hosts on Friday night. But Houllier will be looking more at the performances than the results.

'The team worked hard and I was pleased with the qualities they showed,' he added. 'The mental strength was there.

'Sometimes you have to go through difficult spells - that will happen during a season - and it was good that we showed typical Liverpool virtues.'

Houllier will have noted how at ease Gerrard was in this company. And while Emile Heskey laboured willingly, the obvious bonus was Baros, especially if Michael Owen's hamstrings continue to prove troublesome.

On the down side, the main concern during their weekend excursion to this high-flying level has been an inability to hold on to the ball.

There was more slackness in that department last night, but AC Milan were inept when it came to finishing, particularly Jon Dahl Tomasson.

The Denmark striker, who at least had the consolation of scoring Milan's only goal, was back to the form which made him a laughing stock at Newcastle when he slashed over the bar from Andriy Shevchenko's invitation to tap in.

Shevchenko was also culpable when he headed wide at the far post from a fine ball by Romania wing back Cosmin Contra, with an equaliser looking a formality.

Milan were stunned to be behind but to Liverpool's credit, they were resolute and more determined in front of goal when they found a way through.

For the second half, Houllier sent on the recovering Jamie Carragher in place of Sami Hyypia, allowing Djimi Traore to move into the centre.

Carragher was swiftly booked for tackling Contra wildly but his return on the left - on the back of a run against Real - is another alternative for Houllier.

Traore used his pace to stop Tomasson but from the 57thminute corner, the Dane made amends for his earlier howler by turning home Contra's ball from a couple of yards out.

Soon after, though, Baros set up Gerrard for a rasping shot which should have brought Liverpool's third but the giant Dida made a wonderful fingertip contact to deflect the ball over and earn the England star's admiration.

More good news for Houllier was that Gerrard lasted 71 minutes, showing no signs of injury ill effects, while Didi Hamann came on for the final half-hour in place of Igor Biscan. Both Biscan and Nick Barmby came out of the shadows but neither advanced their causes. The problem for Houllier is finding new homes for his £12m investments.

Yet Liverpool still needed young Kirkland's legs to guarantee victory, as he stopped Brazilian Serginho from hammering in a late equaliser.

That stop cemented a good game for the England Under 21, who caught a number of dangerous balls with ease and exuded confidence throughout. He must be the best keeper not playing regularly in the Premiership.

Meanwhile, Markus Babbel completed 81 minutes, a fabulous achievement for someone at his stage of rehabilitation. The early evening heat of Madrid was a test for the fittest of men.