Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier was almost gushing last night over Gary McAllister's late strike which earned the club victory over Merseyside rivals Everton and keeps their hopes of Champions League football next season very much alive. The Scot's brilliant goal deep into stoppage time gave the Reds a 3-2 victory over a devastated Everton side who had battled hard throughout to save at least a point from the derby at Goodison Park and some pride against the old enemy.
"That was a great strike, a fine goal by Gary. I felt he had been outstanding throughout. He had a tremendous game, he was cool, collected and played some fine passes all round. Frankly, he was great," cooed the Frenchman afterwards.
Houllier also had plenty of positive words for the rest of his Liverpool team. "We showed so much character. I've told the lads that every game we play now will be like that if we want to get to the Champions League. We are going to have to go out each time and take the points, nobody is going to give them to us."
"Throughout we remained positive, we always felt we could win the game. I must admit that at 2-2 and with 10 men I felt we might not do it and I was disappointed for the boys because of all the effort they had put in. But now we have done the double over Manchester United and Everton, and that's just great for our fans," he added.
However, the Liverpool boss didn't stop there as he found some words of encouragement for the blue half of Merseyside. "Everton were very direct and they played very well. It's hard to get anything against them at Goodison, they don't exactly have dwarves out there, and if Everton play like that in the rest of their games, there is no chance of them being in trouble."
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
