Finnan: I want to stay at Liverpool

The 31-year-old Ireland international has followed in the footsteps of John Arne Riise and Steven Gerrard, who have both publicly pledged the best years of their careers to the club in the build-up to next Wednesday's Champions League final in Athens.

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Finnan, a £3.5million signing from Fulham four years ago, has held off constant threats to his position in the side under both Gerard Houllier and now Rafael Benitez, and is now in talks over extending his deal at Anfield.

It would be a major surprise if Finnan was not in his usual right-back role against AC Milan in Athens' Olympic Stadium.

And he said: "I am very happy here and want to stay here as long as I can. Hopefully I can finish my career here and we can sort out a contract.

"But first things first, we have got to get the final out of the way and then we will see what happens.

"But there is no doubt that I want to stay here. The club has come on a lot in the past three years. You only have to look at the finals that we have been to."

He added: "The league title is the main priority for everyone here. It would be terrific if we could achieve that.

"And two European Cup finals in three years is not bad, though. Not many teams can say that.

"We've played in the FA Cup final and the League Cup final and now the big thing is to improve our league form, but another European Cup would be a terrific achievement."

Finnan has been one of Liverpool's unsung heroes over the years, and only recently Benitez admitted that he had to be convinced the defender was good enough for his squad.

The Irishman has heard all that before, and is now bracing himself for another challenge to his spot in the side when Benitez launches his summer spending spree, with Sevilla's right-sided defender Daniel Alves again on his shopping list.

But Finnan is unconcerned, and added: "It is just about playing alongside good players.

"The squad is improving all the time, and you get confidence from playing a lot of games too. Things have gone all right for me but a few others players could say the same.

"We are linked with players a lot and not just in my position.

"With the takeover and the club now having money, I am sure we will be linked with Alves again.

"All you can do is concentrate on your own job and do the best that you can."