Liverpool Echo 12 July 2005
Milan Baros will not figure in Liverpool's plans tomorrow.
The striker's omission from the Liverpool team for the Champions League qualifier with TNS will underline his uncertain future at Anfield.
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez doesn't want the Czech star cup-tied because it may scupper the player's chances of securing a transfer before the start of the season.
Baros finds himself in a similar position to Michael Owen last year.
The club don't want to make him an unattractive target for potential admirers so Baros will have to be content with a place on the bench.
The 24-year-old was destined for Valencia after reaching an agreement with the Spanish team in May.
However, that switch broke down in June, leaving Baros in limbo.
His two goals against Wrexham on Saturday suggested the forward is happy to try to regain the favour of Benitez, but it's a long road back.
Benitez certainly won't be rushing to cup-tie the striker against the Welsh side.
The Anfield boss won't be confirming his line-up until tomorrow, but he suggested Baros could be struggling to force his way into the team.
"With Morientes now fully fit and available in Europe, there are more options for us. We need to work out how many players we have and which are the right players for this game," he said.
Meanwhile, Antonio Nunez has been told he will leave Anfield if the Reds receive an acceptable bid.
"I've spoken to Nunez and explained we've tried to find a club for him, but at the moment we haven't had the right offer," said Benitez.
"Celta Vigo are interested but there are other options."
Meanwhile Mohamed Sissoko today revealed the prospect of teaming up once again with Rafael Benitez helped persuade him to turn down Everton.
The Mali midfielder is expected to finalise his move to Anfield in the next few days after completing his medical.
Everton thought they had secured a deal to take the 20-year-old to Goodison but Sissoko, who played under Benitez atValencia, says that once Liverpool entered the race it was an easy decision to make.
He said: "I understand that the Everton fans are angry but I am going to be happier at Liverpool. I'm sure they will give me a hard time in the derby match.
"I appreciated the Everton offer but I was not convinced about everything.
"And when Rafa Benitez appeared, it made my mind up. I could never turn this offer down. If Rafa was not Liverpool boss it might have been different."
Benitez remains hopeful of adding Southmapton's Peter Crouch to his squad this week, though his hopes of landing Luis Figo he says are fading after Real Madrid suddenly reneged on their promise to give the Portuguese international a free transfer.
They are now demanding a £2m fee which Liverpool will not pay. Benitez is now looking for other options.
This story has been reproduced from today's media and is not necessarily the position of Liverpool FC.
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Quite interesting i thought, wat do i think will he be in rafas season long plans as a rotation striker or will he be a first teamer.
I would personaly not play in in any CL games untill the end of transfer window although this could cause him sum unrest because he will think he wont figure in any of rafas plans.
Glad i dont hav the job as liverpool manager.
