Gerard Houllier has dismissed claims that Emile Heskey will leave Liverpool despite reports of a £12million move to Tottenham. Heskey was reportedly set to be a target for Glenn Hoddle's Tottenham when the transfer window re-opens in January. But Houllier has moved quickly to dismiss the reports, saying he will not be allowed to leave Anfield at any price.
He said: "This will not happen. There is no chance of Emile being sold and there is no point in anyone asking. You can add more to that £12million figure and he will still not be leaving. Emile is happy to be at Liverpool. He may have had a bit of a dip in his form, but I attribute that to his efforts for England during the World Cup.
"Some people like to criticise Emile, but I can produce plenty of facts and figures to back up how important he is to us, and how many goals we have scored that he has been involved in."
Heskey moved to Merseyside in an £11million switch from Leicester in 2000, but has failed to hold down a regular starting place in the first team so far this season.
Filed by Johnny Proby
