Houllier defiant despite dismal run

ALEX FERGUSON may have written Liverpool out of the title race but his Anfield counterpart, Gerard Houllier, remains hell-bent on Champions League qualification.

The Manchester United manager believes the destination of the championship will be between the current top four teams in the Premiership, with Arsenal leading United, Chelsea and Newcastle. He said: “It’s probably the top three now, but Newcastle could get included. For anyone else to get involved would take a mammoth effort.” However, Houllier remains defiant despite a run of 11 Premiership games without a victory.

The Anfield club prepare for Saturday’s trip to emerging Southampton, who are a point and two places above Liverpool in the table, with Houllier claiming: “This is not going to last. All I can say is that it is our objective to finish in the top four.