Troubled Houllier maintains focus

By Tim Dykes

Liverpool FC manager Gérard Houllier has pledged to revive his flailing side ahead of their UEFA Cup fourth-round encounter with AJ Auxerre following an unhappy few months for the Reds.

Dramatic slide
Newspaper reports in France have linked Houllier with a return to his native country following a prolonged dip in form by the four-times European Champion Clubs' Cup winners that has caused them to crash out of the UEFA Champions League, slide from top spot to seventh in the English Premiership and fall to first division Crystal Palace FC in the FA Cup.

'Totally committed'
Silencing his doubters before Thursday's UEFA Cup fourth round second-leg tie, Houllier said: "Believe me, I am here for the long haul. Let's put the record straight. I am not in discussion with and will not be entering into talks with [AS] Monaco about any role at the club. I remain totally committed to Liverpool and the job I'm doing here - I'm not about to walk out on them."

Silverware hopes
Liverpool are languishing in seventh place in their domestic league following last weekend's 2-1 defeat by Birmingham City FC - having been top of the table in November after a 12-game unbeaten run at the start of the season. With a place in the top four - and with it a ticket to next season's Champions League - looking increasingly out of reach, the Reds' main hopes of success this term lie in the UEFA Cup and the English League Cup - where they face arch-rivals Manchester United FC in the final on Sunday.

Ability questioned
After winning just two of their last 16 league matches, Houllier, who spent around €27m strengthening his squad during the summer, has, for the first time, had his managerial ability called into question by some sections of the English press.

Strikers not firing
Failure to reach the Champions League's lucrative second group stage after two draws with FC Basel and defeats both home and away by Valencia CF plunged the club into crisis and a failure to score goals - highlighted by key strikers Michael Owen, El Hadji Diouf and Emile Heskey's combined tally of just seven goals this year - has accelerated their slide.

Crumbs of comfort
History, however, will give Houllier and the side's fans crumbs of comfort. Despite suffering a similar, although less extensive, dip in form last season, Liverpool rallied to record nine wins from their last ten league fixtures to climb to second place and clinch an automatic Champions League berth - and Houllier is confident his side can repeat the feat this time around.

'Huge games'
The former France coach, who has guided the club to four major trophies, including the UEFA Cup and UEFA Super Cup in 2001, since taking sole charge in July 1998, added: "I love this club and the supporters. We were all very disappointed with the result at Birmingham but we have two huge games in the next seven days and I will not let my players get distracted."

Morale boost
Leading 1-0 from the first leg in Auxerre, progress in the UEFA Cup would provide a happy distraction from their troubles at home, while, Houllier will hope, helping restore confidence for the challenges ahead.