Houllier thinking big

GERARD Houllier, beaten only once in 10 Merseyside derbies as Liverpool boss, rounded on Liverpool’s critics after they hauled themselves to the brink of the Champions League.

The Anfield boss has had to endure all manner of abuse in recent months as Liverpool have struggled to rescue something from an erratic season of under-achievement at home and abroad.

But as they prepare to face wilting Charlton at Anfield today with the chance to leapfrog Chelsea into that coveted fourth Premiership spot if Everton can do them any sort of favour at Stamford Bridge, Houllier knows he could have the last laugh. Liverpool have been written off so often, but with Newcastle and Chelsea both losing on Saturday, the Anfield club could even sneak third spot.

After their shattering defeat at Manchester United, the defiance from Anfield was that they would win their last six games, words from assistant Phil Thompson’s mouth that could come back to haunt him.

But Houllier, after Liverpool had made it seven derbies without defeat, said: “Phil was laughed at when he said we would win our last six, but you have to think big and aim big if you want to achieve things in life.”