Houllier wants winter break

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier has thrown his weight behind the case for a winter break as Premier League chairmen meet to consider the issue.

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is trying to persuade the men who run England’s major clubs that such a break would benefit the national side.

Houllier admits he has long advocated such a move, but insists: “The traditions of the Christmas and New Year programmes must be protected.”