Reds challenge excites Finnan
26 Jun 2008 - 10:16:46
Liverpool defender Steve Finnan has vowed to fight for his first-team place next season despite the arrival of fresh competition.
The 29-year-old Republic of Ireland international and Alvaro Arbeloa contested the right-back berth last season with Finnan making 38 appearances.
But the arrival of Switzerland international Philipp Degen at Anfield on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund has increased the competition for a full-back berth.
"Even if you've won the league, you still have to add new faces to improve your squad," Finnan told the club's official website.
"I'm sure (Manchester) United will do exactly that this summer and we have to do the same.
"At a club like this there will always be competition for places. Nobody can afford to take anything for granted.
"You look at our squad now and you can see we've got two top players in nearly every position.
"If the manager wants to add more, I've got no problem with that. I think every player welcomes competition and I'm no different.
"If we can get one or two more players with that ability then we'll certainly be a lot closer to the teams who finished above us."