Criticism doesn't hurt, says Houllier
Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier insists he can cope with the criticism which has come his way following his side’s indifferent start to the new season.
The Reds have taken one point from their opening two matches and face Tottenham at Anfield tonight hoping to show that they are genuine Champions League contenders.
Houllier is under pressure after his side missed out on qualification for Europe’s top club competition at the end of last season but claims he is used to handling it.
He told BBC Sport Online: “The criticism doesn’t hurt me but it doesn’t help the atmosphere you work in.
“The season before last we finished the season with only one defeat in our last 10 games, away at Spurs, and people still talked about a crisis. At a big club there is always a crisis when you lose a game.
“We were unlucky against Chelsea [when they lost 2-1 at home in their opening game]. I think a draw would have been a fair result.
“When we went to Villa we knew they would be up for it [the match ended in a goalless draw]. They had a new manager in his first home game.
“We had chances to win it in the early stages and late on, but it was an encouraging game because of the mental strength we showed.
“We are aware that we are not at the level of Manchester United and Arsenal at the moment, but we will compete as hard as we can for the Champions League places and the championship.”
