Fresh start for Liverpool after clearing the air
Gerard Houllier wants his chastened Liverpool players to accept their responsibilities to the club in tomorrow’s Barclaycard Premiership game at Newcastle.
The angry Anfield boss has held a clear-the-air meeting with his entire squad after the debacle of their Carling Cup exit at the hands of Bolton on Wednesday.
He said: “What is said between me and my players remains within these walls.
“I have let the players know there was a difference about the potential and the performance of our team against Bolton.”
That defeat prompted Houllier to launch an uncharacteristic assault on his players and prompted the showdown at the club’s Melwood training complex less than 24 hours after the cup exit.
Now Houllier has another injury blow to contend with as Harry Kewell – with eight goals to his name so far this season – has been ruled out for three weeks with an ankle problem sustained in the dying seconds of Wednesday’s match.
The Frenchman, who is likely to give 20-year-old right back Jon Otsemobor his league debut at St James Park, wants to see his squad players fight for the cause.
He said: “Now is the time to step up and take responsibility. You do not win things with just 11 players, more like 22.
“We are missing six first team players – but that is why we have a squad. It is now down to them to show their worth.”
Houllier has threatened to leave shirkers “rotting in the reserves” and almost certainly on their way out of Anfield in the summer.
And he knows that with the Premier League’s top three virtually out of sight, the lunchtime collision with Newcastle could hold the destiny of both club’s seasons.
Houllier was reeling already from the loss of Michael Owen, Milan Baros, Jamie Carragher, Steve Finnan and Stephane Henchoz before Kewell’s ankle damage.
Now he says: “We have lost a lot of our attacking efficiency with our injury losses – in particular Michael and now Harry.
“But it gives the opportunity for others to shine. Florent Sinama-Pongolle has already shown that, and Emile Heskey scored a fine goal against Birmingham.
“In football you go through extremely difficult periods with injuries – and we have not been at all lucky this season.
“All the players are aware particularly of the part Michael plays. It is the same with Alan Shearer at Newcastle, Thierry Henry at Arsenal and Ruud van Nistelrooy at Manchester United – they are all missed when they are out.
“Maybe we will get the luck on the pitch. But it is now up to the others to surpass themselves and inject more energy into their game.
“I expressed my feelings about the Bolton defeat, I have a reputation of over-protecting my players but now that is clearly not always the case.
“Now we have to concentrate on the Newcastle game. It is an important game, and it should be the type any player would want to perform in because a lot is at stake.”
The match could prove decisive in the race for a place in the top four – and possible Champions League football next season.
And Houllier continued: “We are facing reality now. Three teams are competing up front and there are three or four teams competing for fourth spot, including us.
“Charlton are up there and must not be ignored. But the regret I have is that we are not competing with our full strength. I would like all my top players available.
“But six out is a lot. You might miss one or two, but six first teamers missing is tough.
“But we will stand up to the challenge and relish the game at Newcastle.”
Salif Diao, who conceded a free-kick and penalty in the last few minutes of Wednesday game, is likely to be replaced at right-back by Otsemobor in the absence of Finnan.
Houllier added: “Jon did extremely well, he is quick and can go forward. I was very pleased with him and he has a good chance of playing against Newcastle.”
Elsewhere, Sami Hyypia, Dietmar Hamann, Chris Kirkland, Sinama-Pongolle and Steven Gerrard – all out of the midweek starting team – will return.
