Gerrard and Baros star for Liverpool
AC Milan 1 Liverpool 2
By Paul Giblin, Madrid
England's Steven Gerrard and the Czech Republic's Milan Baros were the stars of the show for Gerard Houllier as Liverpool got a morale-boosting 2-1 win against AC Milan last night.
England midfielder Gerrard showed his importance to the Anfield cause by setting up Liverpool's two goals; a free kick which Dario Simic sliced into his own net and an inch-perfect cross for Baros to head home.
Baros's hard-running display caused problems for Paolo Maldini.
Meanwhile, Djimi Traore gave a solid display in defence, producing two goal-saving challenges.
Gerard Houllier brought England international Gerrard back into action as he made sweeping changes against AC Milan in the third-place play-off for the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy.
The sides took the field in front of fewer than 10,000 fans.
After Friday's disappointing display against Madrid, Houllier gave another start to German defender Markus Babbel, while Nick Barmby, Igor Biscan and Traore were also included.
Michael Owen was left out, as was an injured Abel Xavier.
Liverpool struggled to keep possession against Milan's more fluid play.
Liverpool took the lead in the 30th minute when Simic sliced a Gerrard free-kick past the helpless Dida. The game began to pick up again and Milan danger man Shevchenko sent a header inches over the Liverpool bar, before Emile Heskey blazed over Dida's crossbar in reply.
Baros made it 2-0 on 35 minutes, once again Gerrard supplied the ammunition.
Two minutes later, the Czech striker brought another save out of Dida, who then closed down Vladimir Smicer, who had collected the rebound.
It was all Liverpool now as the goals gave them a visible lift.
Carragher picked up the first booking of the game in the 53rd minute when he caught Ambrosini late. Milan scored from a corner, with Tomasson atoning for a miss by side-footing home a Contra shot from the edge of the box.
Teddy Sheringham and Steffen Iversen were on target yesterday as Tottenham claimed a 2-2 draw against UEFA Cup holders Feyenoord in an entertaining clash at the Dutch club's De Kuip stadium.
