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Berbatov and Baroš aiming high

Young strikers Dimitar Berbatov and Milan Baroš could hold the key at the BayArena.

By Michael Harrold

Liverpool FC may find attack is the best form of defence when they try to prevent Bayer 04 Leverkusen from overturning their 3-1 lead in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League first knockout round tie on Wednesday.

Quarter-final prize
Bulgarian international Dimitar Berbatov has set the BayArena alight and his goals are a major reason why in Germany Leverkusen are not being counted out. But an away goal could kill the tie, and Liverpool will look to the Czech Republic's Milan Baroš to get it as two of Europe's brightest young strikers go head-to-head for a place in the quarter-finals. Both spurned excellent chances at Anfield, and both will want to ensure their opponents are not let off the hook again.

Similar paths
Both born in 1981, their careers have followed similar paths for club and country since making their big moves west in 2001. But Berbatov, unlike Baroš, has come agonisingly close to tasting success in the Champions League and, having reached the final once, has an added incentive to get back there and win it.

Changed player
Berbatov scored in the defeat of Liverpool in the quarter-finals in 2002, and another goal here could turn the tie. The 24-year-old is in many respects a changed player since Leverkusen were last drawn against Liverpool. He is still youthful, but now plays with maturity, drawing on the experience of three Bundesliga campaigns. Gone are the nerves that used to dog his game, replaced by the new-found confidence of a player comfortable in his surroundings.

Voronin impact
Leverkusen have nurtured their young star well and are reaping the rewards as his all-round game develops. The arrival of Andrei Voronin has helped. The pair have struck up a prolific partnership and have already combined for 22 Bundesliga goals this season. Berbatov feasts on the chances Voronin creates, particularly at the BayArena, where Leverkusen have been outstanding.

Madrid beaten
A 4-1 defeat of FC Bayern München in August gave a taste of things to come, and three goals were subsequently hit past each of Real Madrid CF, AS Roma and FC Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League. If Liverpool are to reach the last eight for only the second time since winning the competition in 1984, an away goal will almost certainly be needed.

Baroš responsibility
Step forward Baroš. In the absence of Fernando Morientes, ineligible after witnessing first-hand the potency of the Leverkusen attack for Madrid in September, the responsibility of getting that goal will fall to the Czech striker, who, unlike Berbatov, is expected to shoulder the burden alone up front.

Fresh impetus
Baroš prefers playing off a second striker, but he will jump at this chance to give his season new impetus. After his tournament-leading five goals had propelled the Czech Republic to the semi-final of UEFA EURO 2004™, Baroš appeared ready to step into the space vacated by Michael Owen's departure.

Rhythm disrupted
Ten goals in the first four months of the season confirmed as much, but, not for the first time in his Anfield career, injury disrupted his rhythm and the goals have since dried up. Missing out on a place in Liverpool's English League Cup final side was another setback for a player who thrives on the big occasion.

Burning ambition
But for a club of Liverpool's ambition, games do not come much more important than Wednesday's, which gives Baroš the chance to hit back as best he knows how. Baroš has dispelled talk of feeling unsettled at Anfield, a goal on Wednesday might end it once for all - providing Berbatov has not got their first.

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