Liverpool Champions League winner looks VERY different 19 years on from his part in the Reds’ most memorable night in the competition

A former Premier League striker and major tournament Golden Boot winner has popped up on social media and sent fans’ minds racing back to his glory days. 

The ex-striker claimed seven major honours playing for clubs in Europe’s top-five leagues and he racked up an impressive 93 appearances for his national team. 

During an illustrious career he netted 177 goals in 556 games, while also scoring 41 goals on the international scene, including five at Euro 2004 that saw him top the scoring charts. 

Now, 42-years-old his exploits have faded to the background but a recent Instagram post has reminded fans of his talent, especially those who watched him turn out for Liverpool, Aston Villa or Portsmouth. 

Among his many memorable moments, his role in the Reds’ unbelievable 2005 Champions League win in Istanbul, will perhaps live longest in the memory. He may look quite different 19 years on but the star man is none other than Milan Baros. 

A former Premier League striker’s appearance on social media has reminded fans of his illustrious career

Milan Baros will forever be remembered by Liverpool fans for his role in their historic 2005 Champions League success

The striker claimed the Golden Boot at the Euro 2004 as Czechia looked on course to claim the title

Baros was Aston Villa’s top scorer in his debut season at the club following his move from Liverpool

Baros’ contribution to Liverpool’s European Cup win of course extends well beyond that historic final. He was involved in the series of events that led to the Reds’ iconic ‘ghost goal’ in their semi-final second leg win over Chelsea. 

The former striker was also part of an incredibly strong Czechia side of the early 2000s that boasted the likes of Pavel Nedved, Tomas Rosicky and Jan Koller – who is the only player to score more goals for the nation than Baros. 

In addition to the Champions League, Baros also got his hands on the League Cup at Anfield. He left Merseyside for the west Midlands in 2005 and finished as Villa’s top scorer in his debut season. 

His next taste of silverware also came in unexpected fashion when he made up part of the Portsmouth squad that lifted the FA Cup under Harry Redknapp in 2008. 

He enjoyed a season-and-a-half in Ligue 1 with Lyon before joining Galatasaray in 2008. A slew of short-term moves followed before he announced his retirement in 2020.