Houllier: I can handle the heat

DEFIANT Gerard Houllier refuses to buckle under the barrage of criticism confronting his Liverpool as he nears the fifth anniversary next month of taking the managerial reigns.

The Anfield chief insists he will not change Liverpool's new attacking policy, and pointedly thanks the fans and the board for their backing in the wake of three successive defeats for the first time in his time in control.

But the Frenchman knows that anything but victory at Anfield against Leeds - another club in crisis and the hounds will be back at his door again.