Soccer: Houllier the main man at Anfield

Liverpool 2 West Ham 1

If the latest Robbie Fowler saga has proved anything, it is that Gerard Houllier rules Anfield and is in a position of such strength that even the Kop back him when he turns their favourite son into an outcast.

A couple of years back Houllier, any Liverpool manager, would never have got away with taking on Fowler because of a training ground bust-up.

The outcry would have been too great and the damning verdict from the towering Kop too intense - but not now.

This may have been on the surface a just a managerial decision to back his assistant Phil Thompson, but deep down it is more than that. It has served to establish Houllier’s absolute rule.

The Frenchman has got three trophies behind him now, Liverpool are back among the elite in the Champions League and there is a massive squad strong enough to just about cope with anything.

And Houllier has taken the opportunity to underline just who runs the club.

When Fowler was spotted sitting in the main stand, he got a fine ovation from the fans around him. The Kop’s response was to chant Houllier’s name - that will not have been lost on the England striker and darling of the Kop.

They know who has dragged their club back into the big time and even though Fowler has scored 167 goals in 314 games, Liverpool won precious little in the decade of Fowler’s dominance.

Whether Houllier was pointing at Fowler when he said afterwards: ‘‘being the best goalscorer and winning nothing means nothing,’’ was not clear, but the point is worth considering.

Fowler was king at Anfield when they were not winning much. Houllier is king now and they are.

Houllier has chosen this point to make his stand; for absolute power with no objections.

He has got that absolute respect already from the foreign brigade and from his own purchases, while the vast majority of the Brits have fallen into line.

Fowler is in many ways the last remnant of the old days and he is being taught to toe the line.

There were times in the past when the players seemed to run Anfield - not any more. And Fowler - whether he feels aggrieved or not - will have to learn.

In reality Liverpool missed Emile Heskey more than they missed Fowler during yesterday’s opening day 2-1 victory over West Ham.

And Houllier managed to handle that by digging deep into his multi-talented squad. Yet that Liverpool did not play to their full potential, and at times struggled, was more to do with the Hammers’ outstanding team performance.

Glenn Roeder has got a galaxy of problems with a small playing staff, has been hit by some unfortunate injuries and is struggling hard to spend £10m or so he admits to finding that side of the management game the hardest.

On the park, West Ham reverted to 4-4-2 and they worked their socks off for their new boss, Paolo di Canio included, capping a good personal day with a cheeky penalty in front of the Kop.

They did not deserve to win, but a point would not have been an outrage and West Ham deserve praise for not allowing the rout that everyone expected to happen.

And it was all down to Michael Owen.

He scored a goal of sheer quality in the first half and a winner 12 minutes from time of sublime striking instinct and ability when Liverpool had run dry on ideas West Ham had done that part of their job pretty well.

The England striker has now hit six goals in three competitive games this term and added to the nine in six matches at the end of last season that clinched the treble, you can see how much he means to Liverpool now.

‘‘I’m pleased with my form and I’m pleased that one of the finishes was a really nice one,’’ said Owen.

‘‘I’m also pleased that my scoring form of last season is continuing, maybe now we can start to close the gap on Manchester United.’’

He is on the brink of signing a new five-year contract and Houllier feels confident enough to take on Fowler with the knowledge that Owen will be around to score the goals.

And Fowler may also have to come to terms with the fact that he is number three now. He has not got the power and strength of Heskey, so the big striker will always get the nod.

He has not got the pace of Owen and Houllier will always go for that.

It means that Heskey and Owen will always be the first choice partnership and when a predator is needed, Fowler’s your man.

Maybe it was coming to terms with all that which has caused Fowler to get himself into such a mess with his boss.

Houllier paid tribute to Owen afterwards and then asked Fowler to get his act together and fall in line with the rest.

Houllier said: ‘‘Michael Owen is in fine form and getting stronger physically all the time. He can now withstand the aggression of defenders and his touch is much better.

‘‘I hope this is a big season for Liverpool and if it is then Michael Owen will have a good season too.

‘‘If Fowler wants to be part of that, he’ll have to toe the line. Maybe he can’t lose.

Fowler would no doubt get a massive move, big wages, big signing-on fee to help swell his bank balance should he decide his future lies elsewhere.

But on the other hand, he could stay and then there will be a massive new contract and a pay-rise.

You get the feeling that Houllier will take either, but he wants rid of the old ways at Anfield.

Roeder, meanwhile, would just like enough players to be allowed a choice and the luxury of decision making on principles. He knows this is going to be a tough season, but on this evidence not as tough as many expect.

West Ham looked organised, committed and did not fall apart at the back under pressure.

Roeder has quietly got his own ideas over. The players that have left, Stuart Pearce apart, he does not seem bothered about because he reckons they did not contribute much to last season anyway.

He is playing his own tactical plan, a flat back four and men in set positions. Joe Cole, claims Roeder, is being taught to play on the left of midfield.

Di Canio led by example, not the moody man we were led to expect after a summer of upheaval at the club.

The Italian created a handful of scoring chances, took his penalty with sheer class, and was clearly hurt when Liverpool finally took control.

He was a class act doing all he could to help his rookie boss, there was no sulking, just graft and skill from the captain.

If Roeder can maintain this team ethic something Houllier preaches and can buy a couple of new faces, a midfielder and central defender are vital, he may just make a few people eat their words.

Fowler will certainly have to eat his.