'I'm still haunted by my transfer between Liverpool and Aston Villa - it was a huge mistake'

Former Liverpool striker Milan Baros left Anfield in 2005 in search of regular football but later admitted it was a mistake to move on. The Czech international moved to Aston Villa but things didn't work out for him and he was on the move again less than two years later. Baros' former clubs are due to face off on Friday with a top four finish at stake. Victory for either side would be enough to make sure of Champions League qualification but a defeat could yet open the door for Bournemouth or Brighton . Liverpool finished fifth in Baros' last full season at the club but their famous Champions League triumph in Istanbul saw them return to the top table of European football. The striker himself wasn't involved, though, failing to make it onto the pitch during three qualifying rounds and joining Villa before the Reds' first group stage game. "At that age, I wish I had fought a little bit more to stay in Liverpool and try to get fit," Baros told the ECHO in 2022. "At that time, I decided to leave because I wanted to play more. In the end, I know it was a mistake. "I was told I was going to be the third-choice striker. There are a lot of games and a lot of injuries in a season, so I should have fought more for the place and to stay longer. I could have stayed, but I decided to go because I wanted to play more. That was the decision. In the end, you never know what can happen. "It was strange because after leaving I was playing against a team I had been part of for four years. It is never easy, but you always find the bigger motivation for the previous club if you play against them. I enjoyed those games, but I think I only did it a couple of times." Baros scored the winner on his home debut for Villa as they beat Blackburn and grabbed 12 goals in all competitions in his first season with the club. However, he struggled after Martin O'Neill arrived in the summer of 2006 and left the following January in a swap deal which saw John Carew move to Villa Park. He won two league titles with Lyon and also became an FA Cup winner during a loan spell at Portsmouth in 2008. He then had spells in Turkey and his native Czech Republic, continuing to play top-flight football until his retirement in 2020 at the age of 38. Liverpool didn't sign an immediate replacement for Baros in August 2005 but did bring club legend Robbie Fowler back to Anfield the following January. The English striker's five league goals helped secure another year of Champions League football under Rafa Benitez after a third-place finish, while Baros and Villa finished down in 16th. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.