Champions League: Houllier relieved to avoid late slip-up

Gerard Houllier admitted that he feared Liverpool could suffer a Champions League heartbreak just as Manchester United had done 24 hours earlier.

Liverpool hung on grimly to a 1-0 Group B victory at home to Dynamo Kiev after being under siege for the final moments.

The night before in Spain, Manchester United conceded two late goals to see a 1-0 lead turned into a 2-1 defeat by Deportivo La Coruna.

Houllier said: "We missed too many chances and I was afraid that we would suffer something like what happened to Manchester United.

"Things can turn against you very quickly when you miss chances and we saw three sitters go begging.

"I was worried at the end, particularly when they got that free-kick on the edge of our box four minutes into injury time. But my team worked so hard, everybody was back working and running and the spirit was first class.

"The game was right on the edge, but our defending was excellent. That has been the case in the last three matches, we are now so much more solid and playing in the way we are expected to do."

Houllier hailed a great night for Liverpool - their first Champions League win and Michael Owen's new contract settled.

"It's a great, great night for the club," said the Frenchman. "We've won our first game in this competition and Michael's contract is sorted out.

"It proves that he, like all the players here, knows what we can do in the future as a team."