Gunners are caught in Houllier’s crossfire

GERARD HOULLIER could not resist a swipe at Barclaycard Premiership leaders Arsenal on the eve of his side’s Anfield showdown with Aston Villa.

The Liverpool manager virtually admitted that failure to snap a run of 10 league games without a win today would end the Reds’ chances of overhauling the Gunners’ 12-point advantage.

He said: “We’ve 16 games to play and we need to win a lot of those if we want to have a chance of winning the title.

“But realistically it will be difficult to catch up with them (Arsenal), particularly because they seem to be very lucky with referees at times.”

Houllier is still smarting from his side’s midweek Worthington Cup defeat against Sheffield United which heaped further gloom on his struggling team.

He accepts victory over a Villa side who have struggled away from home is essential to restore the confidence level within his club.

“Psychologically, it is more than three points tomorrow,” he added.

“We are on a bad run in the Premiership and obviously want to end that. Ideally, we will start to play the type of football we were playing at the beginning of the season.”

Houllier’s options up front are strengthened by the return to fitness of Michael Owen following two games out with hamstring problems.

With Emile Heskey having also shrugged off an ankle injury and youngster Neil Mellor in fine form after his Bramall Lane goal, the Reds boss is relishing his selection poser.

Houllier said: “I remember some days here when Robbie Fowler, Karlheinz Riedle and Michael Owen were all injured and we could play with only one striker. Now I have five to choose from.”

Those options include Mellor, who has proved a worthy addition to Houllier’s squad. Houllier has big plans for Mellor after seeing his rapid improvement this season.

He said: “Neil Mellor is a promising young talent. To be honest, I didn’t rely on him in pre-season.

“But he scored three goals and since then he seems to have improved a lot.

“His speed, reading of the game and participation are excellent and he is always a threat.

“He is firing at the moment and I am pleased for him.”

Dietmar Hamann has returned to the gym to improve his fitness levels following a shin injury but will not be considered for selection.

Chris Kirkland is set to be passed fit despite being on the end of a clattering challenge from Sheffield United’s Michael Brown during the Worthington Cup defeat.