Houllier calls top players to arms

GERARD HOULLIER has called for his big players to be even bigger on Liverpool’s day of Champions League destiny.

The Anfield side face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge where they have won only twice in 24 years knowing only victory will put them back among Europe's elite next term.

A Champions League windfall rests on arguably the club's richest league game in history, and boss Houllier wants his stars to show their worth when it is needed most.

With German midfielder Dietmar Hamann a serious doubt due to a shin injury, but Steven Gerrard fit after a hip problem, Houllier said: "It's the type of game in which big players get bigger and stand up to the challenge. That's what we want."

Liverpool, after a terrible mid-season slump ruined their title dreams, have clawed their way back into Champions League contention, having not been in the top four since December.

"We had a good start, then difficult periods and had to climb from pain and despair after a very rocky road," Houllier said.

"But we have showed resilience and good qualities and for the last 10 games you can see the improvement. Nobody thought we could compete for the Champions League.

"But the type of mental quality and belief and trust we have shown recently proves that we can."

Meanwhile, Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri yesterday cast his team as the hard-up underdogs.

The Italian boss said: "We are like David and Goliath. They have spent a lot on players Chelsea no.

"There have been a lot of teams who have spent a lot more than Chelsea but we are now fighting for the Champions League.Liverpool have spent a lot of money so the problem is for Liverpool."

But Ranieri believes that the investment the Merseyside club has made will pile even more pressure on Houllier's side.

"They must go in the Champions League but we want to go in the Champions League," he said.

Chelsea could have avoided the winner-takes-all last-day confrontation if they had not come unstuck at relegation strugglers West Ham last week. But Ranieri insists he has no problems with the pressure and is looking forward to the atmosphere of the match with so much at stake.

Qualification could make a £15 million difference to a club who are £90 million in debt, but Ranieri said: "When I go on the pitch I never think of the financial things."

But, win, lose or draw, Ranieri is adamant that the Chelsea side he's rebuilt after succeeding Gianluca Vialli as coach, are moving in the right direction.

Derby have sacked manager John Gregory with two years to run on his contract, although the Rams chief is intending to appeal against his dismissal.

The club suspended Gregory on March 21 as they launched an inquiry into "serious allegations" levelled against him.

Physio Stuart Walker and first-team coach Ross MacLaren were also suspended as separate investigations were carried out, but the pair continue to remain as nominal employees of the club.

An official club statement read: "Derby County Football Club have announced today that John Gregory has been dismissed from his role as manager.

"Mr Gregory has a right of appeal which he has chosen to exercise. The appeal will be heard by the chairman as soon as is practicable."

Gregory had been appointed in January 2002 with a brief to keep the Rams in the Premiership, but a dreadful run which saw Derby take just one point from their last eight games confirmed their relegation last season.

The best-paid manager in the Football League, on a £1 million-per-year salary before bonuses, Gregory had also overseen a dismal start to life in the First Division with former Ipswich boss George Burley being drafted in as interim manager to save the club from a second successive relegation.

Gregory, who sensationally quit Aston Villa shortly before his appointment at Pride Park, had been beset by off-field problems, not least the public falling out with Craig Burley.