FAREWELL FINNAN

That's Steve Finnan in case you haven't guessed.
It's a shame to see him go. Particularly as he's still the best right back at the club despite dropping off the pace in the last 12 months.
Arbeloa is showing his true colours and the whispers about Degen aren't great.
There's not many other Reds who I'd hold in such high regard as Finnan since he arrived at Anfield from Fulham in the summer of 2003.
For me, he's everything a modern Premiership footballer should be.
Hard-working, exemplary attitude and someone who never seemed concerned with the bling, fame and fortune that sadly taints most players these days.
The Irishman's Liverpool career is a strange one, in that it seemed to be all over for him after 18 months, as he struggled with form and fitness.
He was played as a right winger for a time by Benitez, and while it offered some limited success, he was on the verge of a move.
But, he was reborn as an attacking full back and quickly established himself as among the top three in the Premiership.

He almost didn't move like a footballer with that shuffling gait, and he wasn't the fastest in the world.
Yet, he was a great outlet for us and had the overlapping routine down to a tee.
His defending was always 100 % solid, his covering across for the centre-halfs spot on and his crossing with either left foot or right foot was almost Beckham-esque at times.
As Paco Herrera, our former coach and Espanyol, has recently pointed out: "He brings balance to the right side. He doesn't make mistakes, gives good passes, defends well and is correct in everything he does.
"He is always worth a 'seven' in ratings, he doesn't call attention to himself, but the coach and the squad will appreciate him."

And that's the thing about Finnan. He is Mr Consistency. Never let you down. Even when Styles gave that ridiculous penalty award to Chelsea last year, it soon became clear that the Irishman hadn't been silly enough to hurl Malouda to the ground.
I hardly remember a Finnan interview. He seemed happy with a quiet life and wasn't the type going out 'harvesting' 18-year-old stunners at clothes boutiques with invitations to the club Christmas party. (Man Utd that was...)
Best of luck to you Steve.

In other transfer news, Voronin is off to Hertha Berlin (shame it's only a loan) and Pennant is staying despite strong rumours Stoke were close to nabbing him.
He's massively frustrating, but in the current climate with nil width, he's probably worth one last season and a good run of games to see if he can be arsed being arsed.

You couldn't get two greater opposites could you? Pennant and Finnan.