Steven Gerrard and Milan Baros were the stars of the show as Liverpool claimed a morale-boosting 2-1 win over AC Milan in Madrid this evening.
Steven Gerrard and Milan Baros were the stars of the show as Liverpool claimed a morale-boosting 2-1 win over AC Milan in Madrid this evening.
England midfielder Gerrard showed why he is so important to the Anfield cause by setting up Liverpool's two goals; the first a free-kick which Dario Simic sliced into his own net and the second an inch-perfect cross for Baros to head home.
Milan pulled one back early on in the second half through Danish international and former Newcastle striker Tomasson.
Gerard Houllier will have been pleased by Baros' performance as the Czech youngster gave a hint at his potential with a hard-running display which caused no less than the great Paolo Maldini constant problems.
Meanwhile Djimi Traore showed what he is capable of with a sold display in defence, where he played at full-back and centre-back and produced two goal-saving challenges.
Gerrard left the field to an ovation a minute later, to be replaced by Danny Murphy, while El-Hadji Diouf replaced Nick Barmby on 73 minutes.
Going into the last quarter of an hour, Milan were once again in charge of the ball as the heat took effect and Liverpool sat back on their lead.
Serginho woke them up with a shot that flew well wide and an effort that once again Traore did well to cut out.
Borriello gave Kirkland a chance to shine on 84 minutes, as the youngster unleashed a fierce left-foot shot the Liverpool goalkeeper did well to parry.
Murphy had a tame effort at the other end, but in the main Liverpool were happy to hang on and let Baros do the running up front.