Reds boss calls on players to respond

LIVERPOOL boss Gerard Houllier watched his side slip to their first league defeat of the season but he insists it is no disaster.

The misfiring Reds went down to Gareth Southgate's 82nd-minute strike after he capitalised on an error by goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek to bring an end to Middlesbrough's four-game run without a win.

Although Houllier was disappointed, he urged his players to put a bad day at the office behind them and start again.

''It's not the end of the world that we've lost 1-0 after 13 games,'' he said.

''This is the second defeat in 30 league games. I just hope to have the same run in the games to come. There are 25 to play now.

"We knew at some stage we would lose a game, and it's done. Let's make it an opportunity to show strength and get back to our best for the next game."

After an even first half it was Boro who took charge, and although chances were few and far between they were worth the points in the end.

Even so Houllier believes a draw would have been a fair result.

"We were in control, not of the game but of their attacking line and they didn't have a lot of chances until what happened at the end," he said.

"But I think on the day we were not as good as we can be we have to admit that. We had some good spells, but too rarely in my view to produce a

result.

"Maybe a draw would have been a result that would have reflected the game. But at the end of the day I think we've got to admit that it was a physical game, and we didn't look as good as usual."

Several Liverpool players appealed for a foul on Dudek in the run-up to the goal.

Houllier maintained there was no offence but refused to blame Dudek.

"There was no foul in all honesty," he said.

"I've watched it on the video, and it's just an error.

"But Jerzy made some good saves for us in that game and in many other games. He will be like the others; he will learn from that."

Boro boss Steve McClaren was delighted after seeing his side take just one point from the previous nine on offer although he admitted that he thought the goal might never come.

"I thought it was going to be one of those games where only half-chances were available with both defences on top, and it would take something different to break through," he said.

"But you always worry with Liverpool because of their record. They defend and win games and grind them out in the last 10 minutes, so we're very pleased.

"I thought we were excellent from goalkeeper right the way through to the people who came on, and if anyone was going to win that game it was us. We deserved it.

"We played football, but the biggest thing for me was we told the players 'It's going to be a physical game; they're big and strong can we compete with that?' We competed."

Ending Liverpool's run was always a target for Boro.

McClaren confirmed: "When anyone's got an unbeaten record you want to play them next because it might be your day. You might be heroes for a week.

"We said that to the players. To be fair, they deserve to be heroes for the way they've performed."

Middlesbrough striker Joseph-Desire Job played his part in ending Liverpool's unbeaten start to the season and then tipped them to claim a first league title in 13 years.

The 24-year-old Cameroon international saw at close hand just how difficult Gerard Houllier's side is to break down, and is convinced that solidity will be the key to their success.

"Liverpool are still a top team despite what happened on Saturday," Job said. "They are very strong physically, especially at the back and in midfield, and everybody knows about their forward players.

"They will be the next champions. I have seen Arsenal and I prefer their style of play going forward with all that movement.

"But Liverpool are so strong at the back, more strong than Arsenal, and that's what will decide it."