Liverpool Football Club News

• Nickname:Reds
• Founded:1892
• Manager:Kenny Dalglish

• Ground:Anfield
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Reds wait on injured Zenden

22 May 2007 - 11:42:13

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Liverpool winger Boudewijn Zenden faces a fitness test to determine whether he will face AC Milan in Wednesday's Champions League final.

The Dutch midfielder picked up an ankle injury during last week's training break in La Manga and returned from Spain on crutches.

Reds boss Rafael Benitez has employed Zenden in a wide left role during much of this season's European campaign despite the former Chelsea, Middlesbrough and Barcelona winger often being omitted from Premier League matches.

Should he fail to recover, then Benitez looks like naming injury-jinxed winger Harry Kewell in his starting line-up in Athens.

The Australia international has made just two substitute appearances this season after a series of foot and groin problems, but would appear to have returned to full-fitness at precisely the right moment.

Meanwhile, Benitez must decide which two strikers from his three-strong contingent of Dirk Kuyt, Craig Bellamy and Peter Crouch to play against Milan.

England hitman Crouch is hoping to win the nod after netting six times in the Champions League already this season.

"I would like to think I'll be starting," he told the club's official website. "My performances have been good in Europe and I feel I've got something to offer against Milan.

"I'm a different kind of player to anything they face in Italy and think I've done well in the Champions League this season.

"I've been lucky enough to play most of the Champions League games and have been pleased with my form.

"Hopefully, that's enough to get into the starting line-up. I would be gutted if not because I want to start.

"But it's the manager's prerogative. He always plays the team he feels is right for the day and will pick the right side to suit the qualities they have and to exploit Milan."