A full Republic of Ireland international, he was a member of the 2002 World Cup squad that did so well despite all the off-field problems, before he joined Liverpool from Fulham.
Steve Finnan Rumours and Transfers
11 10 2007
Richard Dunne wants to see compatriot and club team-mate Stephen Ireland back in a green shirt in time for Ireland's final trip of the campaign to Wales.
Dunne was speaking to reporters in the light of Ireland's withdrawal from Steve Staunton's squad, claiming that he could not "do himself or his country justice" on Tuesday.
However, Dunne is hoping his absence from the camp is a short one given his recent form.
"As far as I know Stephen has a couple of problems in his life and he feels that having 10 days away from home isn't the right thing at the moment," Dunne said.
"It's disappointing for us because he's the one who has been scoring the goals lately for the international team and he is a very important player. Hopefully it is just this trip that he misses. If he can get himself worked out then it would probably be worth it in the long run."
The defender also reiterated that the entire squad would welcome his return to the fold at any stage and that they understood his reasons for missing the clash with the Czech Republic.
"His girlfriend had a miscarriage the last time and no-one is going to take the mickey out of him over something that serious," he continued.
"We all want to be part of a team that is successful and as a group of players we know that Stephen is a very good player who could make the team better, so if and when he does come back he will be welcomed back. Hopefully something will just click for him and we can move on from there. The quicker he comes back, the quicker the whole situation is forgotten about. While he's not here people are going to speak about him and it will be 'what if?' and 'why not?' So the quicker he comes back the quicker the press will stop writing stories about him and he won't feel so uncomfortable."
The Manchester City stalwart's thoughts were echoed by Steve Finnan.
'(Stephen) has done very well and could have a bright future, but he has got a situation he has to deal with and it would be good if he could do it quickly and get back in the squad," the Liverpool man added.
01 10 2007
Liverpool prepare for a return to Champions League action knowing that goalkeeper Jose Reina is in the form of his life.
The Spanish international achieved his fifth clean sheet of the season in Saturday's 1-0 win over Wigan - equalling a 30-year-old club record for the best defensive start to the season.
And with Liverpool now awaiting the arrival of Marseille and former player Djibril Cisse for Tuesday's Champions League group match at Anfield, such solidity is a massive boost for manager Rafael Benitez.
Liverpool, unbeaten this season in all competitions, need to build on their fortunate 1-1 draw at Porto last month to put themselves on track for qualification from the group stages, with Benitez believing 10 points should do it.
And with Reina in such fine form, Liverpool can approach the clash with the French side with confidence.
The Spanish stopper has yet to concede a goal from open play this season and, in keeping a clean sheet at the JJB Stadium on Saturday, Liverpool equalled their record set in 1977.
Reina said: "We are very proud of that record, but we all defend together so it's everyone's record. We have only conceded from penalties so far, which is important. It is something we can be proud of but we must keep working in that way. The defence has changed a lot as well as the other departments of the team. Steve Finnan and Arbeloa have played on the right, Riise, Arbeloa and Aurelio on the left, with Daniel Agger and Sami Hyypia in the centre. All of the players in our squad are good enough to play the same level and that's important for us."
He added: "We know that to win the most important thing is to keep clean sheets. Then we have possibilities to score with the quality of players we have here. To win away in these type of games permits you to fight for the title and be real contenders. But our mentality is to win game after game, not think about the target of the title. But, of course, it's there in our minds. Our mentality should be to go week by week and win every game."
