Evans urges Milan to focus on next matches
Former Liverpool manager Roy Evans believes Milan Baros should forget his Carling Cup snub and concentrate on the important matches coming the Reds’ way over the next week.
The Czech striker – who was the top scorer at Euro 2004 with five goals – was omitted from the team which lost 3-2 to Chelsea after extra-time, was reported to have had a bust-up with manager Rafael Benitez.
Liverpool and the player have denied this, and Evans is adamant the best thing the 23-year-old is knuckle down for the Premiership trip to Newcastle on Saturday and the Champions League return against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday.
“I wouldn’t want any of my players to be happy if they were left out of a cup final, for sure. Milan is no different,” Evans told Sky Sports News.
“He has been playing well this season, sometimes on his own up front and sometimes with Fernando Morientes.
“For Rafa to pick (Harry) Kewell ahead of him is something of a kick in the teeth, but that is the ups and downs of football. I feel Milan should get his head down and get himself back into the team.”
For his part, Baros insisted that was what he was planning to do.
He told Czech newspaper Daily Sport: “Of course I was disappointed, all players want to play in such great matches and I had played regularly before the final.
“But I didn’t argue with anybody, that is nonsense. And it is complete fabrication that I wanted to leave the stadium. I would be going against myself if I came to such a decision.
“I was only disappointed, that is all. There is nothing more to say, the whole occasion is finished for me and I have a normal relationship with Rafa Benitez, just like any other coach or player.
“I know I have only scored once since I came back from injury, but physically I feel very well. I hope I will play against Newcastle at the weekend.
“But I am not thinking about leaving Liverpool right now. Everything is possible but that is not on my mind at the moment. There are still a lot of games left in the season and I have to concentrate on the matches that are ahead of us.”
Benitez is facing new injury problems as he tries to lift Liverpool’s spirits and confidence following their Carling Cup final misery.
Spanish full-back Josemi has rejoined the Anfield injured list after suffering a new knock on his right knee which will keep him out for a further fortnight.
Kewell, Jerzy Dudek and Djimi Traore all reported injuries following the defeat in Cardiff.
Traore is suffering with a thigh strain while Dudek had 10 stitches in a gashed shin. Both are expected to be fit for the Newcastle trip.
But it is less likely that Kewell will play. He suffered an ankle injury against Chelsea and did not look fully fit following his comeback from Achilles and groin problems the previous week.
Striker Neil Mellor is out for the rest of the season following an operation on both knees for tendinitis and Dietmar Hamann has a shin injury but is likely to be fit for the weekend.
