Finnan backs Kewell to shine in Athens

Steve Finnan believes Harry Kewell could exorcise the ghosts of Istanbul and play 'a big part' in the Champions League final.

It could be a case of deja vu for Liverpool winger Kewell, who was a surprise selection for the 2005 showpiece against AC Milan after a long injury lay-off.
If selected against the same opponents in Athens on May 23, Kewell will face almost exactly the same scenario as two years ago after missing the whole of this season.
The Australia winger showed no ill-effects at Fulham on Saturday, his first competitive appearance since suffering a foot problem in the last summer's World Cup.
Full-back Finnan has been surprised at the speed of Kewell's recovery and echoed boss Rafael Benitez's claim that he could yet feature in the Champions League final.
'I didn't expect him to play another game this season but it's good that he came on against Fulham and got some game time,' Finnan said.
'He's been out for a long time and it's like having a new player coming back. Who knows, he could play a big part for us in the final. He's a very valuable player to have in the squad.'
Kewell famously limped out of the 2005 final and shouldered much of the blame for Liverpool's disastrous start, where they fell 3-0 behind at half-time before staging the greatest comeback in European Cup final history.
Finnan added: 'I think he was just trying to recover as best as he could and was targeting pre-season. But he gives us great balance on the left-hand side.
'There's a lot of competition in the side but it's good to have him back and it couldn't have come at a better time with the final coming up.'
Finnan admits the build-up to the Champions League final started against Fulham with his team-mates desperate to impress Benitez.
Benitez rang the changes for the 1-0 defeat at Craven Cottage in order to give his big guns a rest after their semi-final heroics, giving some of his fringe players a chance to stake their claim in the process.
The Reds have just one match left of the Premiership campaign - against Charlton on Sunday - and Finnan knows time is running out for players to stake their claim.
'There's no doubt we're already thinking about the final. It's a great competition and the build-up has already started,' he said.
'But we've got to keep training and playing hard. It'll come around quickly and will be a great occasion. People are putting in the extra inch in training to impress the manager.
'Obviously we've got a big squad so a few people are going to be disappointed. Training has really stepped up. The game against Charlton will be the last opportunity to impress even more.'
Finnan expects Benitez to select a stronger team to face the Addicks in what will be Liverpool's final outing before facing AC Milan in Athens on May 23.
'I think the players who were rested against Fulham will probably play next week, certainly the players who didn't travel will,' he said.
'I'm sure the manager wants to use those players because it will have been three weeks before they play in the final if they don't feature against Charlton.
'I'm sure he'll play the guys who didn't travel to Fulham providing they're fit.
'Players want to play in the last home game of the season as well, so it should be a strong side.'

Funny pictures from semi final UCL

Fulham 1-0 Liverpool: Cottagers nearly safe

Fulham 1-0 Liverpool: Cottagers nearly safe

Fulham substitute Clint Dempsey finished off a fine move in the second half to condemn Liverpool to a 1-0 defeat and put Lawrie Sanchez's side on the brink of Premiership survival
JonBuckle/Empics
Xabi Alonso recieves treatment after a blow to his on his nose
Dempsey combined with Liam Rosenior before sending the ball past Jose Reina in the 69th minute to snatch the victory that should be enough to keep Fulham in the top flight for a seventh successive season.
It was the perfect moment for the 24-year-old, signed from New England Revolution for £1.5million by former boss Chris Coleman in January, to open his account with the Cottagers sat perilously close to the drop zone.
Liverpool selected just goalkeeper Reina and winger Jermaine Pennant from the side that beat Chelsea in Tuesday's epic Champions League semi-final, but they still outclassed Fulham for most of the match.
• Benitez blast
Italian marksman Vincenzo Montella, who replaced Claus Jensen in the only change to the side beaten 3-1 by Arsenal, struck the woodwork with a deflected overhead kick, but otherwise Fulham hardly threatened until Dempsey's breakthrough.
The victory was the perfect way for chairman Mohamed Al Fayed to celebrate his 10-year anniversary since taking over at Craven Cottage and the players completed a march around the pitch to rapturous applause.
But there was one serious blot on their copybook, with skipper Michael Brown lucky to escape a red card after appearing to head-butt Xabi Alonso in an incident which left the Spanish midfielder with a bloody nose.
Liverpool created the first chance, with Mark Gonzalez picking out Bellamy, who struck first time but failed to connect cleanly.
Niemi came to Fulham's aid again in the ninth minute when Fowler sent Bellamy charging into space, but he was denied by the Finland keeper after pulling the trigger from a tight angle.
Liverpool were finding plenty of space in the opposition half, with their slick passing leaving the Cottagers trailing in their wake.
But Fulham squandered a great chance to take the lead in the 15th minute when Philippe Christanval lofted the ball to Brian McBride on the edge of the area.
The move caught the unmarked McBride by surprise and his first touch was poor, forcing the ball to bounce harmlessly away from danger.
Fulham had their tails up and struck the woodwork shortly after when an overhead kick from Montella was deflected onto the right post.
Alonso briefly left the pitch after his run-in with Brown and Brown was fortunate referee Steve Bennett missed the incident.
The lively play that had marked Liverpool's opening to the match was now missing, but Bellamy again went close on the 35th minute following a clever back-heel from Pennant.
Brown had a shot deflected by Gabriel Paletta and only a perfectly-executed tackle by Christanval prevented Bellamy from launching a counter-attack.
Liverpool fans were left shaking their head in disbelief moments before the interval when Fowler missed an open goal from just three yards out after Pennant had slid the ball across Fulham's defence.
The Reds veteran was involved once again as Liverpool probed down the left, with Bellamy racing onto his team-mate's pass and squaring, but there was nobody in support.
Montella was replaced by Dempsey in the 54th minute as Fulham caretaker-boss Sanchez attempted to breath some life into his fading team.
Papa Bouba Diop fired a free-kick straight into the arms of Reina and then the Spaniard had to show sharp reactions as McBride tried to force the ball in at the left post.
Then it was Niemi's turn to come to the rescue, blocking Bellamy's shot from point-blank range.
Play switched ends with increasing regularity and in the 69th minute Fulham took the lead.
Dempsey picked up the ball on the edge of the area and played a one-two with right-back Rosenior before sending the ball past Reina from eight yards.
Liverpool brought Harry Kewell on for his first appearance since the World Cup and then had the ball in the back of the net with seven minutes to go, but Paletta was rightly adjudged offside.
The Reds pressed for an equaliser, but Fulham, who had Diop sent off in injury-time for picking up a second yellow card, held firm to secure three priceless points.
• Benitez blast
Furious Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez blasted the officials for missing Michael Brown's headbutt on Xabi Alonso in today's 1-0 defeat by Fulham.
A 68th-minute winner from Clint Dempsey put the Cottagers on the brink of Barclays Premiership survival but Brown's first-half attack on Alonso muted the celebrations.
The Spain midfielder required brief treatment after being left with a bloody nose and Benitez was angered by the failure of referee Steve Bennett and his assistant to see the incident.
He said: 'It was clear and everybody saw it. When the FA view the replay I suppose they'll take action.
'If the officials had seen it then it could have changed the game. Big money has been spent in the electronics system for the four officials yet nobody could see anything.
'We could save the money spent on that and use it for the academy system because it's not working.
'The officials say to me `Be careful with the line, be careful with the line', but I don't want to break the line (of the technical area), I want to watch the game.
'I had four players injured in this game - Jose Reina (shoulder), Mohamed Sissoko (knee), Alvaro Arbeloa (ankle) and Xabi Alonso (nose). It's unbelievable.
'You can use 20 referees, 2,000 cameras and a lot of electronic systems but if you don't want to see it you won't. Unbelievable.'
Benitez risked infuriating Fulham's relegation rivals by naming a weakened team showing nine changes to the side that defeated Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
But the Reds would still have been out of sight at half-time had Craig Bellamy and Robbie Fowler brought their shooting boots while Fulham keeper Antti Niemi was in fine form.
Benitez said: 'If you want to win you need to take chances. We had chances but couldn't score. They had a chance and scored.
'I can understand other managers' frustration at the team we chose. But each manager has to do what's best for his club.
'But we still had five clear chances today but missed them and if that's happened then you can't do anything else as a manager.'
Fulham caretaker-boss Lawrie Sanchez revealed Brown claimed his clash with Alonso was an accident.
He said: 'I didn't see the incident but saw Alonso have treatment on the side of the pitch.
'I asked Browny what happened at half-time and he said they ran into each other, there was no headbutt.
'I believe my captain if he says that. He did say they clashed heads but added there was no intent.
'What will be will be - it's not for me to decide what the Football Association will do.'
Fulham travel to Middlesbrough for their final match of the season and Sanchez, who will be overseeing his final game in charge, will not celebrate escaping the drop until his side are 100% safe.
He said: 'People tell me it's still mathematically possible to be relegated so until it's proven we're safe I'll save the relief. 'But we took a big, big step today. It was a big ask of the players.
'The players proved they're good enough with two good halves and they did it front of their own fans.
'I was brought here to keep Fulham in the Premiership and we're close to that now.'

Liverpool FC Greatest Goals and Moments

Liverpool FC Greatest Goals and Moments



2001 UEFA Final. (Westfalenstadion, Dortmund, May 16)

4' 1-0 L: Markus Babbel
16' 2-0 L: Steven Gerrard
27' 2-1 A: Iván Alonso
41' 3-1 L: Gary McAllister (pen)
48' 3-2 A: Javi Moreno
51' 3-3 A: Javi Moreno
73' 4-3 L: Robbie Fowler
89' 4-4 A: Jordi Cruijff
116' 5-4 L: Delfi Gelí (og)

Liverpool vs Arsenal - FA Cup Final 2001


Liverpool vs AC Milan - Champions League Final 2005


Liverpool vs West Ham - FA Cup Final 2006

Champion League Semi Final vs Chelsea

Champion League Semi Final vs Chelsea Preview

Stamford Bridge


Anfield

Liverpool look to tie down stars with new deals

Liverpool look to tie down stars with new deals

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez expects not only Steven Gerrard to sign a new contract in the next few weeks but also a clutch of big-name Anfield stars.


Gerrard today has not only confirmed he is in discussions over a new contract, but that he is on the brink of signing a four-year deal believed to be worth £120,000 a week.

And Benitez, ahead of tomorrow's trip to Fulham, revealed that Jamie Carragher, Xabi Alonso, Luis Garcia, Jose Reina, Steve Finnan and Daniel Agger could soon follow.

Benitez said: 'We have been talking to several players, not just Steven. Those talks were suspended ahead of the Chelsea game in the Champions League, but we will start talking again.

'Nobody has yet agreed a deal, but if we can get them sorted out, as well as some for younger players too, before the Champions League final at the end of the month, we will do.

'But I would expect that it would now be after the Athens final that deals are agreed. When you talk to players it is easy, but not always with agents.

'But I am confident things will be cleared up. We have approached players, let them know we want to do new deals rather than leave them to worry and think, maybe there is a problem.'

Gerrard, talking to the club's website, Liverpoolfc.tv leaves little doubt that the process is running smoothly, particularly after new co-owner Tom Hicks said in the aftermath of Tuesday's semi-final win over Chelsea: 'I cannot see Steven Gerrard playing for another club.'

Gerrard says: 'Tom Hicks has said he cannot see me playing for another club, and yes, I'm in talks to extend my contract at Liverpool and I've never been happier with my football.

'I'd love nothing better than to get this contract sorted and signed, so I can understand where he's coming from.

'We need to keep all of our big players here so it's very important we get the contracts sorted out so they can be here for a long time.'

Gerrard is unlikely to play at Craven Cottage tomorrow as Benitez plans to rest more of his potential first choice line-up in Athens.

The Anfield skipper could join a host of absentees at Craven Cottage, with John Arne Riise, Finnan, Carragher and Reina expected to be rested again, with the Champions League final later this month.

And there is also the prospect that Italy Under-21 international keeper Daniele Padelli could make his debut, with Argentinian teenage full-back Emiliano Insua - who made his debut at Fratton Park - getting another outing.

Benitez is likely to rely mainly on players who did not play, or complete 90 minutes against Chelsea in midweek.

And the Spanish coach has been quick to brush aside criticism of his team by Gennaro Gattuso, the AC Milan midfielder, who has claimed Liverpool are a long-ball team and not as good as Manchester United.

He said: 'I expect more of this sort of thing, but I wonder just how many times he has seen us play. Maybe he remembers 2005 in Istanbul and is already a little worried.'

The Athens final, not surprisingly, is already Liverpool's one and only priority for the season although Benitez said: 'We still want to finish third and we will field teams we feel can win.

'I understand concerns of other clubs, but we have our priorities and lots of teams in the division will be fielding different players in the final few games.'

Gerrard, too, is already focused on Athens, and he has revealed that he is surprised that AC Milan will be Liverpool's final opponents in Greece.

He said: 'I'm confident we can go to Athens and bring the cup back home.

'But Milan are a fantastic team and we know it's going to be really difficult, so we need to be right at the top of our game.

'I was really surprised actually that they won their semi-final because I had confidence that Manchester United would get the result they required.

'I thought it was going to be a Liverpool-Manchester United final, but credit to Milan because they were excellent on the night and deserved to win the game.'

He added: 'Now I am sure Milan will want to make amends for 2005 because I'm sure Istanbul hurt them. They have a chance for revenge now but me and the boys are going to be ready for that and we're looking forward to it.

'They have some quality players like Gattuso who work really hard for the team but we'll be ready for them on the night. I'm confident we can beat them.

'Obviously I'm very excited. I don't think it's sunk in yet and probably won't until we set off for Athens, and we've got a couple of domestic games first before we start our preparations for the big final.

'But we've got nothing to fear from Milan, we've been there and done it before, we've got a fantastic team spirit, the team is playing really well in Europe and we've got one of the best managers in the world so we have every confidence that we can do it.'

Reds in red for final date

Reds in red for final date

Liverpool will wear their red home kit for the Champions League final against AC Milan on May 23.

Rafael Benitez's side had been named as the away team for the match in Athens but Milan have chosen to wear their all white strip.

That means the teams will be wearing the same colours as when they met in the 2005 final in Istanbul, when Liverpool came back from 3-0 down at half-time to win on penalties.