Houllier goes to Red alert
A 1-1 draw at Highbury on Sunday extended Liverpool's run without a win to nine league games, and left Houllier's side in sixth place, nine points behind the leaders.
But the French coach told the club website emphatically yesterday: "I think the title race starts now.
"A win (on Sunday) would have been good because we would have only been six points behind Arsenal. It is a large gap and they are a good team. That has to be acknowledged.
"(But) I hope by the time we play each other again next month the gap between us will have closed.
"All the teams can beat each other in the Premier League and Arsenal have had a bit of luck against the likes of Fulham and West Brom, so that shows it is not finished."
His sentiments were echoed by goalkeeper Chris Kirkland, who continues to impress, with talks of a potential England call up mounting.
"We've been playing well and we're still in the title shout. I wouldn't say the title depended on this game, although it would have made it extremely difficult for us to catch up if we'd gone 12 points behind," Kirkland said.
"It's close at the top and we will just battle as hard as we can to get some more points."
Liverpool travel to Newcastle on New Year's Day, with the aim of moving closer to Arsenal before they face them again at Anfield in a month's time.
Michael Owen who was substituted during the first half at Highbury with a hamstring problem remains a doubt. But Houllier hopes Owen who has not scored in nine league games will be fit for Liverpool's trip to St James' Park.
"It doesn't look a very bad injury," said Houllier. "He just felt a twinge in his hamstring and it's better not to take a risk as we have so many other games coming up."
Houllier remains incensed with Arsenal's Francis Jeffers, who won the penalty from which Thierry Henry cancelled out Danny Murphy's spot-kick for Liverpool.
The Frenchman accused Jeffers of diving and called for the yellow card shown to defender John Arne Riise to be rescinded.
Only referee Jeff Winter has the power to do so, by recording it in his official match report to the Football Association which the governing body expect to receive later today.
Meanwhile Alex Ferguson believes Arsenal's failure to beat Liverpool has given Manchester United renewed hope of winning the title.
The draw has left United five points behind the leaders after losing their last two matches to Blackburn and Middlesbrough before beating Birmingham 2-0 on Saturday.
They have a chance to close the gap when they play Sunderland on New Year's Day at Old Trafford.
"Winning is the name of the game for us now," Ferguson said yesterday. "We were on the coat tails of Arsenal but we lost two games and we are back on the back foot again. Arsenal drawing yesterday gives you a glimmer of hope again. We have to make sure that glimmer gets stronger."
With regards to the controversial result on Sunday, Ferguson admitted that Arsenal were extremely fortunate.
"I thought Liverpool were desperately unlucky and I can understand why Gerard Houllier was so angry," Ferguson added.
"It was a draw which cut the margin though, so we have to hope we can take advantage of any more slips over the next few months."
Ferguson also revealed striker Ruud van Nistelrooy may miss the clash with Sunderland.
"Ruud is still affected by the toe injury. He has not done any training yet, so he is doubtful for Wednesday. Everyone else is fit," he added.
Meanwhile David Seaman warned his side's title rivals that Arsenal have established their five-point lead at the top of the table without having been near their best for the past two months.
"We just need to keep it going now. If we keep on winning, then we know that nobody will be able to catch us. We haven't been firing on all cylinders and everybody knows that, but the most important thing is that we know it too. We know that we can play a lot better and we are working hard in training and working hard in the matches.
"It will click again and we know exactly what we are capable of. We're looking to get back to the sort of form we were showing at the beginning of the season."
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