Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier has stated that last night's disappointing result against Swiss side FC Basle will only make his young team even more determined to succeed in future years.
Houllier's team mounted a brave comeback after being three down at the break in Basle but could manage only a 3-3 draw which meant the Swiss went into the last 16 and Liverpool returned to the UEFA Cup.
Houllier refused to condemn his side and said: "I have mixed feelings, it is very disappointing not going through. I am proud of the effort and the response, you can have the best game plan you can dream of, but if you go behind in the second minute it doesn't count for much. We were chasing the game from then on and that cost us the second, which they scored on the counter. It was ideal for them because they could sit back from then."
And as Liverpool licked their wounds, Houllier added: "We will be back, we are disappointed but our heads are not down. Houllier hailed Liverpool's remarkable comeback but accepted that a first half of defensive madness cost his side their realistic chance of staying in the Champions League."
filed by Ciaran Cronin
