Reds must exchange European performance for points

Liverpool know they must replace European achievement with Premiership points - and fast – as they prepare for tomorrow’s confrontation with relegation-haunted Birmingham City.

Anything but a win at St Andrews will instantly destroy the feel-good factor achieved with a defiant, steely defensive display in Auxerre on Thursday, that gave them the upper hand in their UEFA Cup tie with the French title-chasers.

Auxerre boss Guy Roux coined the phrase “iron defence” after the game, and his mate Gerard Houllier will want more of the same at St Andrews.

Houllier said: “We said before the game on Thursday that we had 11 important days. Two Auxerre games, a crucial league game and the cup final with Manchester United.

“I told the boys to make these few days as enjoyable as they can for themselves and the fans.”

Enjoyable is hardly the right word as far as neutrals are concerned watching Liverpool’s iron fist in an iron glove style but Houllier is not likely to flinch.

He said: “We have got our solid side back in defence, we need to be a bit more clinical up front but we have improved and we are much better as a defensive unit now.”

It is what is happening at the sharp end for Liverpool that is causing most concern at the moment, with Michael Owen well aware that he has scored only four times in 19 matches and only one in the league since November 2.

Owen admitted that his goal drought has caused him concern, saying: “I suffered a blow to my confidence, I am like any other player.

“But my career has always been made of ups and downs but I have always managed to bounce back.”

With Auxerre and then Manchester United next in line for Liverpool, Owen would be delighted to get his scoring form back on track at Birmingham.

But boss Houllier is aware of the dangers there. He said: “Birmingham are a definite Premiership side, they have strength and good strikers in Stern John and Clinton Morrison, while Christophe Dugarry is always dangerous, I know all about him.

“In midfield they also have good players like Robbie Savage and Aliou Cisse, who played in the World Cup with our own lads El Hadji Diouf and Salif Diao, so they will know all about him.”

Liverpool are without the suspended Steven Gerrard and Diouf, while Vladimir Smicer is still out injured and Stephane Henchoz under treatment for an ankle injury that forced him off in France.

Dietmar Hamann, Igor Biscan and Bruno Cheyrou will all come into the frame.