Exclusive Steve Finnan interview

In his first interview since joining the club Steve Finnan speaks exclusively to liverpoolfc.tv at the club's Melwood training ground.

First of all Steve, a warm welcome to Liverpool Football Club from the official website.

Cheers.

Can you give us an update on your injury?

I had an operation on my groin back in June. They said about 8 weeks, so hopefully I'm almost ready. It's coming along alright, the physio has been really good. It's been a bit frustrated watching the lads train and play but it's coming along ok.

So are you itching to get back to action?

This is a great club to be at and I'm delighted to have joined this club. Obviously it's been a while since I last played and it's a bit frustrating, but hopefully soon I'll be back.

Which game are you now targeting as your comeback?

They said two months from the operation but they didn't really set me a target so maybe the Amsterdam tournament.

So have you been coming into Melwood every day?

This week I have, but I went to Switzerland with the lads and basically trained myself. I went to the Cologne game and the lads played really well, but it's frustrating sitting on the sidelines. Maybe it's best that I didn't go to Asia because I got more training done by staying a Melwood.

So what does your routine consist of right now at Melwood?

9:15 start, half an hour on the bike and then basically do whatever the physio thinks I need. I step it up every day and I'm running and doing the sharp stuff, now taking the ball. I'm trying to progress every day as long as there's no reaction.

How are you settling in at Liverpool?

Yeah, it's good. I came up a couple of times in the summer when I had my operation and to have a look around and I'm settling in well. I've lived away from London before with Birmingham and Notts County, so it's not really a problem. It's not like I'm a foreigner moving into a different country. The lads are fine, it was disappointing not to be training with them at first because I'd probably get to know them a little bit more, but everything is ok at the moment.

Is everything at Liverpool what you'd expect it to be?

I know what a great club this is and the history of the club and this is a great move for me. The training ground is superb, there is everything you want there and you couldn't ask to more.

Off the field, how are you finding life in Liverpool?

It's been alright, it hasn't been a problem at all. I suppose I have to sign a few more autographs than when I was at Fulham. I'm in a hotel at the moment and I haven't really been out too much. A lot the lads have said that it's fine, you get looked after well and the supporters are fanatical up here.

How did your transfer to Liverpool come about because there were other clubs interested in you at the time?

All I knew about was Liverpool. Fulham will probably tell you about other clubs, but as soon as Liverpool came in, they were the only choice I had to make. It's great to come and Fulham wanted to sell me, there's no point hanging around if they wanted to sell me and I'm delighted to come here.

Has it always been an ambition of yours to go to one of the big clubs?

Of course. You want to play for a big club at the top level, play well in Europe and challenge for honours. Over the years Liverpool have done that and I'd like to be a part of that.

You've played at Anfield before as a Fulham player, as an opposing player what did you make of the atmosphere?

As an opposing player it was great. The atmosphere was really good and I know other players who have played here and said that the fans are great to the away team and that's good as well. Obviously they're going to be even better towards the home team! It was good, a great ground to play at.

Are you looking forward to making your home debut at Anfield?

Obviously I can't wait, but I want to take my time and not rush the injury. That's coming along, hopefully I'm not to far away and I'll be looking forward to making my debut.

With Christian Damiano being here at Anfield as well, has that been a big help to you?

I had three years under him at Fulham and I progressed under him and I owe him a lot as well. It's good that he is here, we got to know each other quite well when we were at Fulham and I'm sure he'll do very well here.

What can you tell us about him as a coach?

I think he's good for the players, he likes to coach technically, and he's not all about running as some coaches are. I think he likes to do most of his work with the ball and players will tell you that's what they want. He's got a lot of knowledge and a lot of experience abroad, so I'm sure he'll be good for the club.

Did you know any of the other Liverpool players before you joined?

I only knew Richie Partridge through the Ireland squad, but to be honest I didn't know anyone else.

You spoke in your first press conference about Liverpool's links with Ireland. Are you hoping to follow in the footsteps of the great Irish players that have played here?

There are some great Irish players who have played here and been successful and obviously I'd like to emulate them.

I know you're an Irish International, but you haven't really got the Irish accent...

A lot of people are surprised at that, but I was born in Ireland and lived there for a few years, but obviously my family came over. I was born in Limerick, but I've lived in London most of my life.

So what are your targets for the coming season?

First of all to get fit, really. I know the competition for places is big here as there is a big squad, but hopefully I can be part of a successful team. I'm sure the club want to get back into the Champions League and win trophies every year and I'd like to be a part of that.

What are your strengths that you can bring to the team?

Hopefully as an attacking full-back I suppose. At full-back you have to defend first and foremost, but I like to get forward and help the midfield and the strikers and play a part that way.

Who has impressed you since you've been training here at Liverpool?

It's difficult to say with me not training until this week. You know the likes of Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen and Sami Hyypia and obviously you don't need to train with them, you know that because they've been great players. I haven't really seen too much training but all I can say is that every player that is in the team has a lot to offer. We've got a quality squad here.

What do you make of the two French kids? Le Tallec in particular has been getting a lot of praise after his recent performances.

Maybe in a year or two they will progress into the first team, maybe earlier, but I've heard that they are good talents.