Houllier alarmed by Blades tactics

Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier was unhappy with Sheffield United's physical approach to the first leg of the Worthington Cup semi-final.

Houllier was particularly enraged by Michael Brown's high challenge on Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland.

The Frenchman claimed the England Under-21 stopper could have had his leg broken in the incident.

Houllier told Sky Sports 2: "I am very disappointed because there were a few things I did not like about the game.

"We were expecting a physical challenge, but it was more than that at times.

"I don't want to comment on the incident involving Chris, but I'm pleased he did not have his leg broken. If he had not lifted his leg up he could have had his leg broken."

Houllier added after his side's 2-1 defeat: "We should have got a second goal, but they came back into the game. But we're only at half-time, there's still 90 minutes to go."

Blades boss Neil Warnock gave a sarcastic reply when asked if he agreed with Houllier's assessment of the game as being over-physical.

He quipped: "I thought Liverpool were a little over-physical if I'm honest, I thought they could have had a couple more bookings."

But Warnock was full of praise for the way his men had come back into the game.

He added: "I thought it was a very tight midfield, and it was a cracking match, very good for television.

"They are a quality side and we can't just go willy-nilly at them, the lads showed lot of commitment.

"There's not much wrong with Liverpool, and it's a marvellous achievement for us considering where the lads have come from.

"Our lads never know when they're beaten."