Soccer: Reds boss warns of Roma backlash
Liverpool are setting their sights on making their second cup quarter-finals in five days as they prepare to take on Serie A leaders AS Roma at Anfield.
The Reds beat the Italians 2-0 in the Stadio Olimpico last week and are favourites to reach the last 16 of the Uefa Cup - in the same week as progressing to the same stage in the FA Cup.
But Houllier is warning his men to expect a backlash from Fabio Capello's Romans.
He said: "Football has a way of bringing you crashing down. Recently, for example, people were slaughtering Michael Owen but he was a hero in Rome with those two goals.
"Football can send you from the attic to the basement without the aid of a lift."
The Italians have left skipper Francesco Totti, the Brazilians Cafu, Aldair and Emerson, plus Christiano Zanetti and Amadeo Mangone - three of whom played in the first leg - injured at home in Rome.
Liverpool have a major doubt over Jari Litmanen, who has struggled to shake off the calf injury he received against Manchester City on Sunday, while Steven Gerrard and Danny Murphy - although improving - are not being considered for this fourth round tie ahead of Sunday's Worthington Cup Final.
But as Houllier demanded that his side avoid being carried away by the current euphoria on the red half of Merseyside and show "the same tough, strong, winning mentality and composure that they showed in Rome" it was impossible to keep Tranmere Rovers out of the conversation.
First Division Tranmere came back from 3-0 down to win 4-3 and book an FA Cup quarter -final with Houllier's side at Prenton Park on Wednesday.
He said: "Tranmere really deserved something, they were absolutely outstanding. It was a feat that will never be forgotten in their club's history, a huge performance.
"I just couldn't believe what I was watching. It was incredible and a great credit to John Aldridge and his players. It will remain in their history and we have certainly been warned.
"It underlines the strength of English football. Teams never give in, from 0-3 to 4-3 tells you everything about the English mentality.
"I doubt you would see something like that in any other country.
"It shows that all cup ties can be so difficult, my players will have seen that and know that they are still very much only at half time against a team of Roma's quality.
"We all here have immense respect for them and this second leg will be a very difficult match for us."
