Gerard Houllier vowed last night to drag Liverpool out of their European nightmare to claim a Champions League spot. Liverpool tasted the bitterness of a European exit for the second time this season when they slumped to a 2-0 home defeat by Celtic, going out of the UEFA Cup at the quarter-final stage on a 3-1 aggregate score. He will desperately want to avoid the hangover Liverpool suffered when they were dumped out of the Champions League back in November by Basel, when they then went the next 10 Premiership games without a victory.
Houllier said: “Let's hope we can bounce back like we did last season when we were beaten in the Champions League last eight by Bayer Leverkusen - after that game we went to Sunderland and won the next match. Our next match this time is against Leeds on Sunday and it's a vital game for us now.” And he added: “A Champions League spot will make up for failing in the UEFA Cup. We have eight games to go and we know what we need to end our season the right way.”
Houllier saw his team eventually outplayed by Martin O'Neill's heroes, Alan Thompson scoring on the stroke of half time and then John Hartson grabbing the killer goal with nine minutes left. Houllier said: “I am, like my players, very hurt by what has happened. The first half could have gone our way, we had a couple of decent chances, but when their goal came it was at the best time for them and the worst time for us. It was the turning point, they were a functional, very clever, efficient side and all credit to them. I didn't think we deserved to be behind at the break, and their keeper saved them in the second period. He made fine saves, particularly one from Stevie Gerrard, and we just couldn't get back at them. They played well, and reached a level of energy that we couldn't match. I hope they now go on and win the cup.”
Filed by James Boylan.
