Soccer: Houllier happy with points

Gerard Houllier faces the remarkable situation of a week without a game as his leg-weary squad battle for glory on four fronts.

And after Liverpool’s 3-1 home win over Spurs at Anfield yesterday Houllier only has to contend with a week of international friendlies to distract his players before they go to Coventry next Saturday and Bradford next Tuesday.

After eight games in 23 days, and three crucial victories in the last week, Liverpool deserve their rest. Although the likes of Patrik Berger, Sander Westerveld, Stephane Henchoz and Igor Biscan must report for international duty this week.

Houllier is exasperated with the demands on his players, but pointedly thanked the managers of England and Germany for sparing his players any more activity.

It means that Dietmar Hamann and Christian Ziege are allowed to rest, along with the galaxy of England stars in Liverpool’s weary ranks.

Said Houllier: ‘‘I’d like to put on record my gratitude to the England and German managers who have seen fit not to organise international friendlies at such a demanding time of the season.’’

Houllier has had to withdraw Vladimir Smicer from the Czech Republic squad, the winger having damaged a hamstring against Spurs, where Liverpool scrambled their way to a 3-1 victory that keeps them in touch with the group chasing that third Champions League qualification spot.

Anything other than a victory over the north Londoners would have virtually ended Liverpool’s hopes of finishing third, with both Leeds and Ipswich winning on Saturday.

Emile Heskey, Gary McAllister and Robbie Fowler scored for Liverpool after Willem Korsten had equalised in the first half for battling Spurs.

The key moment was a second-half penalty for handball against Alton Thelwell, the justification for which was disputed by the managers.

Spurs boss Glenn Hoddle claimed referee Barry Knight was pressured into awarding Liverpool the crucial penalty that swung the game the Merseysiders’ way.

Spurs were holding Liverpool at 1-1 when Orpington referee Knight decided Thelwell had handled a Michael Owen shot.

McAllister struck home the spot-kick, Fowler added another in the dying minutes and Liverpool scrambled their way to a 3-1 win that keeps their Champions League dreams alive.

Upset Hoddle said: ‘‘If that was intentional handball, then I’m in the wrong game.

‘‘The referee was pressured by the crowd, they had been baying for three or four decisions before that, and finally he succumbed.

‘‘We had really worried them with a patched-up team that included nine players who were under 21, but that decision was one too far for them.’’

Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier predictably disagreed, saying: ‘‘The video evidence shows their player handled. And there had been a couple of other penalties that we should have been given.

‘‘In the first half, we should have had one when Owen was brought down, and Michael also had a goal disallowed that should have counted. And there was also a handball against Tim Sherwood in the box that wasn’t given.

‘‘Again, the TV evidence shows that he was not offside, Sherwood had only moved out after the original shot had been made. If Glenn has any problems, I would ask him to look at the video of the match.’’