BBC SPORT- Finnan issues support for Gerrard

BBC SPORT | Football | League Cup | Finnan issues support for Gerrard: "Finnan issues support for Gerrard
By Mandeep Sanghera

Steve Finnan has backed Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard to bounce back from his Carling Cup nightmare.

Gerrard missed a great chance with the Reds 1-0 up against Chelsea before he gifted them an equaliser through an own goal with only 11 minutes left.

Chelsea have been linked with a move for Gerrard and their fans ironically chanted his name but Finnan said: 'It can happen to anyone.

'He'll bounce back. He is a quality player. I'm sure it won't affect him.'

Finnan added: 'He was trying to clear the ball and it could have gone anywhere but it has just gone in off the post.'

Gerrard cut a forlorn figure at the end of the game as he watched Chelsea celebrate their win from a dejected Liverpool camp.

His goal cancelled out John Arne Riise's stunning volley for the Reds and took the tie into extra time, with Chelsea eventually overpowering their badly-tiring opponents.

'There is no-one to blame out there,' said Republic of Ireland international Finnan.

'It is just a bit frustrating but after a good first half we probably didn't play as well in the second half.

'And with the set-pieces maybe we could have done better.' "