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.'