Liverpool who's who

BBC Sport Online profiles FA Cup finalists Liverpool.

Sander Westerveld
Goalkeeper
Age: 26

Dutch international Westerveld began his career FC Twente. A spell at Vitesse Arnhem followed before he was bought by Liverpool in July 1999 for a then record £4m fee for a goalkeeper in British football. He is noted for his huge goal-kicks and has impressed since Christmas in particular.

Pegguy Arphexad
Goalkeeper
Age: 27

Arphexad has remained understudy to Westerveld this season. The Frenchman moved to Leicester City from Racing Club Lens and was signed under the Bosman ruling last summer.

Hyypia has shored up the Reds defence

Sami Hyypia
Defender
Age: 27

A virtual unknown when he signed for £3m from Dutch club Willem II in May 1999, this authoritative central defender was a major part in helping Liverpool to the best Premiership defensive record last season. The Finnish international helped MyPa Anjalankoski lift the Finnish Cup in 1992 and gave up the chance to play in the Champions League with Willem II in order to move to Anfield.

Stephane Henchoz
Defender
Age: 26

Henchoz made his debut for Liverpool in the Worthington Cup when he helped the club to a 4-2 win against Hull in 1999. He was signed in June 1999 for £3.5m from Blackburn but his first outing was delayed because of injury. A Swiss international, he was member of his country's World Cup 1994 and Euro 96 squads.

Jamie Carragher
Defender
Age: 23

Carragher has graduated through the Liverpool ranks and his quality and versatility have seen him survive the Anfield revolution instigated by Houllier. He can play in central defence, right-back or in midfield and, along with his commitment and consistency, has firmly established himself in the Liverpool fray.

Markus Babbel
Defender
Age: 28

Signed under the Bosman ruling from Bayern Munich, he arrived at Anfield after helping his former club to the German League and Cup double in his last season. He helped Germany to Euro 96 success but is taking a voluntary exodus from the national side to dedicate himself to his Liverpool career.

Christian Ziege
Defender/ Midfielder
Age: 29

Ziege started out as a goalkeeper in his youth before switching to the outfield. Signed by Bayern Munich in his native Germany, he moved to Italian club AC Milan before arriving in England when signed by Middlesbrough. The German international has a winners medal from Euro 96 and joined Liverpool for £5.5m in August 2000 after a lengthy transfer saga.

Several big clubs were believed to want Biscan

Igor Biscan
Midfielder
Age: 22

Highly-rated talent, Biscan has quickly adapted to English football and is already showing his worth to Liverpool. The Croatian international moved in a £5.5m deal from Dynamo Zagreb and chose Liverpool even though Juventus, Barcelona, AC Milan and Ajax were reportedly interested in his services.

Steven Gerrard
Midfielder
Age: 20

Gerrard is the all-action presence at the heart of the Liverpool team. A product of the club's academy scheme, the England international is a commanding force when tracking back and an attacking threat with his powerful runs at the other end. Uncompromising in the tackle, he also seems to be overcoming his injury problems.

Vladimir Smicer
Midfielder
Age: 27

Smicer's recent performances have been vital in helping enhance his growing reputation after a slow start at Liverpool. The Czech international helped former club RC Lens to the French title and French Cup in successive seasons before a £4.2m move to Anfield in July 1999.

Gary McAllister
Midfielder
Age: 36

McAllister has enjoyed a superb recent run which has included a string of goals from set pieces. Signed on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling from Coventry last summer, the former League title winner with Leeds is renowned for his passing quality and shooting ability.

Nick Barmby
Midfielder
Age: 27

England international Barmby signed for Liverpool last summer when he switched from the Anfield club's Merseyside rivals Everton in a £6m deal. A sleek player who possesses defence-splitting passing qualities, he contributes vital goals and a strong work ethic to the team. Has just return after injury.

Murphy has had to prove himself

Danny Murphy
Midfielder/ Forward
Age: 24

Murphy moved to Anfield in a £2m deal from Crewe but went back to Gresty Road on loan for three months at the end of the 1998/1999 season. He then almost left the Merseyside club but has fought to make himself an integral part of Houllier's plans. A recent injury and sending off has seen him slip down the pecking order.

Dietmar Hamann
Midfielder
Age: 27

Hamann has the distinction of being the scorer of the last goal at Wembley Stadium. The goal for Germany against England in a World Cup qualifier last October came from a free-kick which signals his threat from set pieces. An £8m signing from Newcastle in July 1999.

Robbie Fowler
Forward
Age: 26

Captain and prolific goalscorer, Fowler has recaptured some of his form and fitness since returning from a lengthy spell on the sidelines. His Worthington Cup final goal was a stunner but he is not guaranteed a start in the FA Cup final.

Emile Heskey
Forward
Age: 23

Heskey has answered doubts about his finishing quality with 22 goals this season following his £11m move from Leicester City in March 2000. Powerful and pacy, the England international has two Worthington Cup winners' medals to his credit from his time at Leicester.

Litmanen has proven pedigree

Jari Litmanen
Forward
Age: 30

Litmanen is a class act and is one of Finland's greatest ever players. Captain of his national team, he helped Ajax to the 1995 Champions League crown and the final the following season. Arrived on a free from Barcelona in January but has been troubled by injury in recent weeks.

Michael Owen
Forward
Age: 21

Owen returned to goalscoring form in emphatic fashion with a brace against Italian Serie A leaders Roma in the first leg of their Uefa Cup tie in the Stadio Olimpico. His injury problems appear to be behind now and he goes into the FA Cup final having scored six goals in his last three outings.