Finnan: Fight is on for final place
Steve Finnan says the build-up to the Champions League final started against Fulham, with his Liverpool team-mates out to impress Rafa 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."
(TEAMtalk)  
 
Gradi praises Liverpool's Parry
Crewe manager Dario Gradi has praised Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry over his handling of the negotiations over Danny O'Donnell.
Gradi is keen to bring 21-year-old Reds defender Danny O'Donnell, who has spent the season on loan with the Alex, to Gresty Road on a permanent basis.
Gradi said: "I spoke to him (Parry) last week about Danny coming here and again he was as helpful as ever. You can imagine the kind of week he was having after playing a Champions League semi-final but he was there again willing to try and do something.
"There may be some money involved with Danny coming here but we don't mind that. I would happily agree to a sell on clause because we would like Danny to come here and develop into a really good player."
(TEAMtalk)

Boss: Harry has final chance
Rafa Benitez believes Harry Kewell may be able to take part in the Champions League final in Athens later this month.
The winger, who has been out since last summer's World Cup, made his comeback as a substitute against Fulham on Saturday.
With just one fixture to play before the final on May 23, time is short for the Australian to get fully match fit.
But Benitez insists there is a chance: "It was positive to see Harry again. Maybe he will have a chance for the final. We will have time for testing him.
"We need to test him because right now you could say physically that he is fit but really you need to play, you need to tackle, and to sprint."
(LFC Official Website)

Finnan: Kewell return a timely boost
Steve Finnan believes the return of Kewell has given the Reds a timely boost ahead of their date with AC Milan.
"I don't know whether Harry expected to play again this season but it is good that he came on and managed to get some minutes," he said. "It's great because he's been out a long time, so it is like having a new player. He might play his part in the final.
"It has been a difficult season for him with operations, so I just think he has been trying
to recover.
"Probably the main objective for him is to get ready for pre-season and if he can play a few games then all well and good.
"He gives us a balance on the left-hand side and gives us competition. He can also play on the right and up front."
(LFC Official Website)

Jewell blasts Reds rotation
Wigan boss Paul Jewell has hit out at Liverpool for fielding an under-strength side
against Fulham.
Fulham boosted their survival hopes with a 1-0 win over the UEFA Champions League finalists on Saturday.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez made nine changes to his side for the game at Craven Cottage and the decision left Jewell seething as Fulham climbed further clear of his own Wigan side in the battle to avoid relegation
"What happens to Wigan is of no concern to Liverpool, but for the good of the game, its integrity, resting nine players can't be right," Jewell told The Sun.
"What if Sheffield United had won at Aston Villa and decided to play a reserve team against us next week? It's the same scenario.
"If Neil Warnock announced he was going to rest nine regulars there would be absolute murder.
"We are not down in this position because of Fulham or because of the situation at West Ham or because Liverpool have rested nine players, but events have conspired
against us."
(Sky Sports)

Brown incident set for TV review
The FA is to review TV evidence of an incident between Fulham's Michael Brown and Liverpool's Xabi Alonso on Saturday.
Brown appeared to aim a headbutt at the Spanish midfielder in the first half which left Alonso with a bloody nose.
The referee, Steve Bennett, had turned away from the players to follow the path of the ball and missed the incident, but TV cameras caught it and the tapes will be reviewed by an FA panel on Thursday.
Brown has been involved in at least two ugly challenges already this season with late tackles on Ryan Giggs and Ashley Cole that looked dangerous.
(Clubcall Sports)

LFC owner will fly ‘whole Hicks clan’ to Athens
Liverpool owner Tom Hicks is planning to fly eight members of his family to Athens when the team take on AC Milan for the Champions League final.
American sports moguls George Gillett and Tom Hicks took control of the club in a £470m deal earlier this year.
Already they have shown fans their commitment to the club’s future, with ambitious plans for a new stadium, and said they wanted manager Rafa Benitez to stay with the club “for a long time”.
Mr Hicks said: “The whole Hicks clan, the eight of us, will be in Athens.
“My 15-year-old son is in the middle of his school finals so he will have to get some dispensation to be there.”
He said he can hardly wait to see his team take on AC Milan – and is preparing for the event by watching the 2005 match from Istanbul again.
(Liverpool Daily Post)

Thor Zakariassen ©