SOCCER: Liverpool will attempt to lure the Republic of Ireland international Steve Finnan to Merseyside over the summer as part of Gerard Houllier's radical overhaul of the squad with the aim of mounting a more credible title challenge next season.
The 26-year-old Fulham full back, signed by Kevin Keegan for £600,000 from Notts County five years ago, is likely to cost about £4 million, having impressed Houllier during his time with the Londoners, for whom he boasts 202 appearances. Fulham may be keen to retain his services but they are unlikely to resist such a bid.
The move for Finnan, an attack-minded defender to match the bite offered by John Arne Riise on the opposite flank, will reflect the change in Houllier's strategy and fit in with his attempt to mould Liverpool into a more forward-thinking outfit.
The Frenchman's blueprint for the club's future will also include a renewed bid to prise Damien Duff away from Blackburn Rovers.
However, with Champions League football appearing less likely every week, Houllier will have to generate funds by trimming his squad. The club hope Abel Xavier will move to Galatasaray on a permanent basis in the close season, and Markus Babbel may also be permitted to leave, though the former Germany international emphasised yesterday that his future lay at Anfield.
"I've no idea how these rumours have started," he said. "I've got a three-year contract and have absolutely no plans to leave Liverpool at the end of the season. All I know is that the club aren't looking to get rid of me."
Patrik Berger, Liverpool's Czech international midfielder whose season has been wrecked by injury, is likely to join Bundesliga side Munich 1860 when his contract expires in the summer.
Channel 5 has won the rights to broadcast the first leg of Liverpool's UEFA Cup quarter-final at Celtic next Thursday.
Birmingham midfielder Robbie Savage has been bombarded by death threats on his own website over his role in Monday's explosive derby clash with Aston Villa.
Savage, who was on the receiving end of the horrendous head-butt which got Villa striker Dion Dublin sent off, has been subjected to a torrent of abuse via dozens of emails.
