The race is on to impress Rafa, reveals Finnan

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.

Scroll down to read more

The Reds have just one match left of the Barclays 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."

Harry Kewell could make the starting line-up against Charlton after appearing as a second-half substitute at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

The Australia winger showed no ill-effects after making his first competitive appearance since suffering a foot problem in the last summer's World Cup.

Finnan has been surprised at the speed of Kewell's recovery and echoed 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," he 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.

"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."