Liverpool deny Mourinho link as Houllier pressure builds
Mourinho is regarded as one of the brightest coaching talents to emerge in Europe in recent times and has admitted receiving two offers from Premiership clubs - with speculation suggesting Chelsea and Liverpool are the clubs concerned.
"Contrary to reports, Liverpool have not made any approach or offer to Porto coach Jose Mourinho," insisted Parry. "The story is simply not true."
Mourinho, 41, was this week reportedly the focus of an approach by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and chief executive Peter Kenyon but added: "Liverpool are a team that interests everyone," he said.
"Chelsea does not interest me so much because it is a new project with lots of money invested in it."
Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier believes Manchester United will finish as runners-up in the championship and his much-maligned side will "fight to the death" to clinch Champions League football next term.
Liverpool, clinging to fourth spot despite a dreadful Easter, must step out at Old Trafford today against the bitterest rivals and prove Houllier right.
Houllier, who admits he "almost cut myself shaving" when he was told of media speculation that he would have £30million to spend next season, defiantly still believes that fourth place will be considered a success for his club.
"The players are playing for the club, if they are playing for their futures they will not play well. They are under no extra pressure to get new contracts and they have the big-time experience for what we are about to face, starting at Old Trafford.
"As for the future we need to wait a bit to see what will happen and what money there is. Obviously there is a difference finishing in fourth place rather than fifth. But do not forget we are still fourth, we are not sixth or seventh, and we will fight to the death to keep that."
Despite a dismal recent run of one point from nine, Houllier insists next season, with all his top players remaining fit, they can close the gap on the top three.
The Frenchman said: "I will not be happy with fourth (this season) but maybe it will be a success because of the amount of injuries we have had to contend with.
"But if we do avoid the injuries next season we will be in a position to push for a top three place. Some of the players will grow and mature and be ready for the fight.
"Do not get me wrong, it has not been a good season but finishing fourth will be an achievement because of the main players we have missed even if some people do not agree with that.
Houllier added: "Manchester United will probably finish second the way things are going, but we have had good recent results there apart from last term when we lost with 10 men for almost the entire match, that was hard.
"I still believe we control our own destiny, because we still have to play Newcastle at home.
"The race will be very tight right to the end but when we win our four games we will be in Europe.
"But it may not need four wins, there are games between sides who are in the same race as us where points will be dropped.
But we know if we win all four we will qualify."
United boss Alex Ferguson defended Houllier and Liverpool against the tag of underachievers, despite the fact that they lie an incredible 31 points behind leaders Arsenal.
"You have to measure these things realistically," he said. "It is unfair to assess Gerard on Liverpool's performances this season because they have suffered so many injuries.
"Michael Owen has been out for a while, Jamie Carragher broke his leg, Steve Finnan and Stephane Henchoz have both been injured, while Chris Kirkland has missed a lot of the season as well.
"If all those players had been fit, Liverpool would be in a far better position than they are now.
"As coaches, we all accept that we are open to criticism but you only have to lose a game these days and people are waiting to have a go."
The long-serving Red Devils chief dismissed speculation that skipper Roy Keane and suspended central defender Rio Ferdinand were going to be dumped in the summer as 'one of the most ludicrous stories I have ever heard' and insisted no decisions on whether to reshape his squad would be taken until the season was at an end.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
