Liverpool gaffer Rafa B is a big Gareth Barry fan, that much is evident. The Spaniard has been stalking his quarry for the whole summer now, and such was his desire to nab Gareth that he offered Steve Finnan as a potential makeweight. Unfortunately, Martin O’Neill didn’t take the bait.

All this, though, has left Steve Finnan feeling like an unwanted puppy. Like Xabi, Rafa had made it clear that he was more than happy to see Finnan leave, and now the deal is off (and the Irishman has recovered from his hernia op), poor Steve is left to wander around like a Shakespearian ghost….

Steve Finnan, the defender, has admitted that his future with Liverpool is in “limbo”. He has recovered from a hernia operation during the summer, but has yet to play this season and was offered as a potential makeweight when Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager, tried unsuccessfully to sign Gareth Barry from Aston Villa. “Limbo sounds about right,” Finnan said. “There’s a big squad and I have been trying to get into the team.”

Finnan, who could return to the Ireland side for their friendly against Norway in Oslo tomorrow night, has discussed the issue with Benítez, but declined to elaborate. “We have spoken about it, but I don’t think I will say too much more,” he said. (The Times)

Surely Everton, a team with a (supposed) whopping transfer kitty, but seemingly no one to spend it on, should cast a glance over Stanley Park towards Xabi and Finnan. The situation at Everton is so dire that they can barely fill the bench, and they are in desperate need of bodies.

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