Houllier's home truths inspire Liverpool

Gerard Houllier launched a fierce attack on his underachieving Liverpool players at a crunch summit meeting just 24 hours before they beat Manchester United.

The Frenchman wanted a return to the level of commitment shown when Liverpool won a cup treble three years ago.

The Anfield chief, constantly under intense pressure and clearly planning big changes in the close season, told his players they were not doing enough for the team in a no-holds-barred gathering.

Full-back Jamie Carragher has revealed the ear-bashing he and his team mates suffered from their manager.

He said: “The manager called a meeting on Friday and basically told a lot of us we were not doing enough for the team.

“The message was really we had to work a lot harder, especially when we have not got the ball, and get back to the attitude and commitment we showed when we won the three cups in 2001. I think the lads responded to what was said.”

The response was to produce their biggest result in months by beating United 1-0 at Old Trafford, their third win there in four seasons.

The gloss was knocked off that result by Newcastle’s comeback to beat Chelsea on Sunday, but Houllier at least got the reaction he wanted from his men, who had picked up just one point from their previous three league games.

The Magpies’ victory on Sunday still leaves them in the driving seat for the race for fourth spot, equal on points with Liverpool but with a game in hand.

Aston Villa’s last-minute win at Middlesbrough – Liverpool’s opponents at the weekend – also kept the chase for Champions League football very tight, with the three sides separated by just one point.

Carragher told the Liverpool Echo: “In many ways, I think the performance against United proved what I said a few weeks ago. We seem to be able to compete against the big sides but struggle against others.

“You would not believe we could go two home games against Charlton and Fulham without a win and then get a win at Old Trafford, but it seems to have been like that here for as long as I can remember.

“When I first broke into the side under Roy Evans I remember losing at home to Barnsley and then winning at Arsenal a week later. Until we put that right we are not going to challenge for the title.”

Liverpool must wait to see how Newcastle do at Manchester City on Saturday, and could find themselves three points adrift and playing catch-up when they face Boro the following day.

But Carragher reckons the pride and passion was there for all to see at Old Trafford.

He said: “The character, togetherness and spirit in the side was a lot better. It is frustrating we are not in a better position when we have shown we can win at tough venues such as Goodison Park, Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford. Now we’ve got to play a lot better in our last two home games against Middlesbrough and Newcastle on the last day.

“I think the game against Middlesbrough next weekend is going to be totally different to the United win. I know a lot of people will be looking at what happened there and asking why we cannot get results like that at home.

“The onus is on us to break sides down far more than it was on Saturday and that is when we have struggled sometimes.

“We have got to build on what happened. Although tactically it will be different next weekend, there is still a lot we should take from the win.”

However Houllier got his message across, the players are in no doubt that there will be changes in the summer if Liverpool fail to reach the Champions League.

Already a list of possible departures seems to be common knowledge, but one player constantly on such lists – Salif Diao – has made it clear he does not want to be leaving.

Diao said: “Following speculation I will be leaving this summer, I would like to reiterate that I am fully committed to the club.

“I still have three years left on my current contract and I want to repay the faith Gerard Houllier showed in bringing me to England.

“I have no intention of letting this wonderful opportunity pass me by. I know I am part of a great institution and feel that I still have plenty of time to make a big impression on the team and the fans.”