Finnan says Reds must make final for Alonso
Liverpool defender Steve Finnan has vowed to ease Xabi Alonso’s pain at missing out on next week’s Champions League rematch against Chelsea – by reaching the final.
The Spanish playmaker is suspended for the semi-final second-leg tie at Anfield after picking up a third booking of the competition in last night’s goalless draw at Stamford Bridge.
However, Irish international Finnan vowed: “We can do it for Xabi, we can give him the final to come back to. There were a few of us on yellow cards, it was just unlucky that it happened to him. It didn’t look much like a yellow card, but we can give him the final to look forward to.”
Rafael Benitez, who may be able to recall Dietmar Hamann from injury for the second leg next Tuesday, insisted Liverpool could cope without Alonso.
“We played three months without him [due to injury] and we won a lot of those games, so we will try to do the same again,” he insisted. “Dietmar Hamann is training normally and I think that maybe he will be fit.”
Captain Steven Gerrard added: “Xabi is a magnificent passer but Dietmar Hamann is nearly fit and knocking on the door. It’s set up for a great second leg.”
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, insisted Liverpool could not “cry” at losing Alonso but most soldier on without him.
“They have a lot of players, like us. When you lose a player because of suspension or injury, you have to find an answer,” he said.
“We lost Damien Duff for the first leg and we had to try to find a solution. It’s the same for them. You cannot cry.”
