Finnan eager to play his part after missing out on Istanbul heroics

May 21 2007 by Simon Stone, Liverpool Daily Post

STEVE FINNAN played in only the worst bits of the 2005 European Cup final.

He was there as AC Milan cut Liverpool to shreds in the first-half in Istanbul two seasons ago, opening up a 3-0 lead.

A groin injury meant the Irishman was left in the dressing room at half-time, giving manager Rafael Benitez a chance to shuffle his pack and bring on Dietmar Hamann to shackle the surges of Kaka.

By the time Finnan was showered and changed into a tracksuit, the second half had started and Liverpool were on their way to a miracle.

From then on it was a night of mixed emotions for 31-year-old Finnan, who got his winners’ medal but felt cheated of the greatest moment in his career.

He explained: “It was disappointing to get injured because I missed all the goals, I was not on the pitch.

“But I eventually managed to get out to watch what was happening after I had been changed and saw everything from then.

“When you get to a game like that, the only thing that matters is winning.

“But personally after what happened to me, you can’t help wonder at the time if you will ever go back to experience it properly.

“There was not too much being said in the dressing room at half-time, emotions were a bit flat but when I came out to pitchside it was completely different.