Premiership: It's too early to assess Heskey - Houllier

Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier revealed that Emile Heskey is suffering from a badly bruised back after the 1-0 win over Valencia.

Houllier said: "Emile had to come off after getting a kick in the back, he is swollen and bruised.

"I do not know whether he will be able to play against Ajax on Saturday, we will have to see, but at the moment it is very doubtful.

"As for Robbie Fowler, who has picked up a knee injury, he has done some individual gym work and we will have to monitor him for the next two days to see how he is. It is far too early to say at the moment."

Houllier's side won with a late Jari Litmanen goal, and Houllier said: "You have to have the humility to say that the result could easily have gone the other way.

"Valencia made the better chances, and our keeper saved us in the second half. But there are times at this stage of the season when a team looks rusty, and that's how we are at the moment."

Litmanen said there was a familiar feel to the goal he scored to give his side a winning start in the Amsterdam Tournament.

Litmanen played in the Amsterdam Arena with Ajax for seven years, and his late volley gave Liverpool a 1-0 win against Spaniards Valencia in the same venue.

"That was my old goal, so I've scored many goals in that side - where most of the Ajax fans are," he told Sky Sports Extra.

Litmanen was left out of the starting line-up by manager Gerard Houllier, but said: "I want to play in matches like all the other players, but if I'm not playing I have respect for the decision of my manager and have respect for my team-mates.

"We have two games here, and all of our players are playing in one of them, so I thought maybe if I'm not playing I'll play against my old team Ajax."

The Ajax supporters in the Amsterdam ArenA gave Litmanen a return to remember and he added: "It was quite emotional for me, because I played here for seven years and it was a nice time for me. I came here and the Ajax fans started to sing my name immediately, so it was really nice."

Litmanen paid tribute to Valencia, who had Liverpool on the back foot for most of the match.

"It is difficult against Spanish teams because they are technically very skilful, and they tried to play attacking football.

"Valencia have been in the Champions League final for the past two years, so we are talking about a really good team."