Gerrard expected to return for Reds
The Anfield chief will use the third round of the competition to wind up Gerrard for an assault on Manchester United in the Barclaycard Premiership on Sunday.
Gerrard could not have a better place to re-establish himself after being axed by Houllier and publicly slammed for his form and approach.
The England midfielder missed the Sunderland game and half the Fulham match, and is now expected to play from the start in Arnhem's covered stadium with its removable pitch.
Houllier was prepared to whisper his intention of giving Gerrard action against United at Anfield and said: "Steven Gerrard is fine, his work-rate, his success rate in tackles, runs and passing has been much higher in training recently. He will be up for the game.
"There were a few things he knew he had to improve on, but he's only 22, you have to be indulgent with some players. Like us, he went through a bad patch.
"But he's fine, I'm pleased with him and the good Steven Gerrard is back. We missed him and we are happy that he is back."
Houllier was less expansive about goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek as he prepares for a game against a team who are struggling both financially and on the pitch.
The Frenchman said: "Jerzy is a great goalkeeper. He is, like us, going through a difficult period but he has got to overcome that.
"Jerzy admits his form was uncharacteristic. All great goalkeepers make mistakes whether it's Fabien Barthez, David Seaman or Oliver Kahn.
"Because Jerzy is not used to making mistakes, when it happens people make a fuss.
"He's the first one to admit he had a poor game against Fulham. I still have confidence in him, as I do with all my players but I have squad that can cope with this.
"You have to be strong and accept competition, but that is as far as I will go with this situation at the moment."
Liverpool, for all their upbeat words about being back in a competition they thought they had grown out, know they dare not lose here.
They face a Vitesse club who are virtually bankrupt a financial rescue package was launched a fortnight ago and who are prey to the big European sides when the transfer window comes round in January.
They are now tenants in their own stunning stadium because of their financial plight and are languishing in the bottom half of the Dutch league with just six wins all season.
But Houllier added: "We'll not face Arnhem without respect we don't view this as a chance for a backlash, that's not the way to treat people.
"We remember that at the beginning of our own UEFA Cup run two seasons ago, we had some very difficult games against Bucharest who Arnhem had knocked out of this competition and Liberec. Nobody will be taking Arnhem lightly.
"They are a good team, they knocked out Bremen in the last round. They will be viewed as underdogs, but we must not forget Basle were considered underdogs against us too (in the Champions League last week)."
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