Baros steps in and delivers for Liverpool

Millwall 0 Liverpool 3

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez had made 10 changes for the clash at the New Den but it was not until the second half introduction of Baros that their passage was secured.

The visitors led at half-time through Salif Diao’s well-taken goal but they had twice been indebted to keeper Jerzy Dudek for saving from Neil Harris.

Baros replaced the injured Florent Sinama-Pongolle in the 53rd minute, and 17 minutes later he kept his nerve to settle the tie with a strike that oozed class and composure.

And in stoppage time, the Czech Republic striker raced onto Darren Potter’s through ball and beat Matt Lawrence for pace before steering another precise effort into the left corner.

Millwall were determined throughout the game, but lacked the cutting edge required to make their possession count.

Defender Djimi Traore was the only member of the Liverpool starting XI who began Saturday’s game against Charlton while Millwall player-manger Dennis Wise surprisingly left himself out as one of three changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Cardiff.

Liverpool did go in front in the 18th minute. Zak Whitbread challenged with Millwall defender Darren Ward in the air following Potter’s corner, and when the ball fell to Diao, the Senegal midfielder drilled the ball into the right corner from 10 yards.

The home defence always looked vulnerable against the trickery of Sinama-Pongolle, and it took three defenders to stop him after Jody Morris’ tackle on Diao had rebounded into the French striker’s path.

The young forward fell awkwardly and was hurt after an accidental tangle with Muscat after shooting and had to be replaced by Baros in the 53rd minute.

With little more than 10 minutes remaining, some supporters in the lower tier of the away end clashed with police guarding the perimeter of the pitch, but the officers managed to prevent the situation from escalating.

Trouble also flared on the field as Kevin Muscat and Baros had to be separated by team-mates after the Czech Republic striker tackled the Millwall skipper after the ball had gone.

MILLWALL: Stack, Muscat, Ward, Lawrence, Livermore, Dunne, Elliott, Morris, Serioux, Tessem, Harris.

LIVERPOOL: Dudek, Josemi, Henchoz, Traore, Whitbread, Potter, Biscan, Diao, Warnock, Mellor, Sinama-Pongolle.

Referee: A Wiley (Staffordshire).