Liverpool badly need a victory

GERARD HOULLIER last night admitted he was ''desperate'' for a win to revive Liverpool's season and backed Emile Heskey and Chris Kirkland to help him get it.

Liverpool travel to a resurgent Charlton today already out of the Champions League and with just one point from their last four Premiership games. Defeat at home to bitter rivals Manchester United last weekend left them four points behind champions Arsenal at the top of the table, and eased Sir Alex Ferguson's side back into the title race.

A few weeks ago a trip to Charlton, then mired in the relegation battle, would have been seen as the perfect opportunity to pick up all three points and kick-start the Reds' championship challenge. With Alan Curbishley's men comfortably in mid-table on the back of three straight wins The Valley is no longer Houllier's idea of an easy away-day.

But Houllier will be able to call on the services of England goalkeeper in waiting Kirkland and out-of-sorts striker Heskey for the trip south after watching title rivals United and Arsenal go head-to-head at Old Trafford beforehand. ''We're desperate to have a win,'' admitted Houllier, who described reports linking Heskey with a move to Tottenham as totally rubbish.

''I thought the three defeats in the league we could have avoided for various reasons. So we need a win now and to have the luck go our way. We know we have to win practically every game if we want to win the title."

Heskey was reported to be the subject of a £12 million bid from Spurs ahead of January's transfer window after struggling to hold down a place in the starting line-up and scoring just three goals in 25 appearances this season. But Houllier has no interest in letting the England striker leave, insisting he is a major part of the club's future. ''There is no way he is going to leave this club, even if they invert the figures,'' added Houllier.

''There is no chance. I'm a great fan of Emile. He scores many vital goals and makes a lot of assists. He is very important for our set-up.''

Equally important for the club's future is goalkeeper Kirkland, who at last gets his chance to claim the number one spot from Jerzy Dudek after the Pole's blunder against United last weekend.

''That's why we signed him,'' admitted Houllier, who allowed Dudek the chance to regain some confidence by playing him against Ipswich in the Worthington Cup midweek victory.

''We have great faith in his ability. With time and experience he can become an outstanding goalkeeper. The way he welcomed Jerzy in the dressing room after the (United) game was a great testimony to the team bonding and the spirit around the camp."

Houllier is optimistic Heskey and Vladimir Smicer will shake off injuries. Heskey will be given a late fitness test on his ankle. Smicer received a knock during the Worthington Cup victory over Ipswich in midweek but is also expected to be fit enough to travel.

In-form Charlton have captain Richard Rufus back from suspension.

Centre-back Rufus missed the 2-1 win at Leeds last weekend, the Addicks' third consecutive Premiership win, through a one-match ban.

Fellow defender Mark Fish was forced off after a quarter-of-an-hour at Elland Road because of flu and is okay to resume. Alan Curbishley's injury concerns have all but receded with Claus Jensen (calf) now ready to start following a substitute appearance on Sunday and Jonatan Johansson (hamstring) back in full training.