Houllier's ego

Last updated : 31 October 2002 By James McKie

The underlying fact was the fact that they did all they could to make Liverpool great. Paisley was a totally different man. He was an unassuming man who used his vast knowledge to inspire trust and belief. All it means is that the club was run by people who had their own way of doing things.

With Evans, we had a man who lacked the deep knowledge of paisley (no disrespect meant to Roy, he was a very loyal servant to the club) and the charm and personality of Shankly. That sounds bad, but you only have to look at what Houllier has achieved since taking over. Ego is a strange beast and one of the most interesting features is that it can rub people up the wrong way. Shankly had lots of people who found him irritating, rude, big headed, bloody minded etc etc, but with the passage of time, people like to think of his witty remarks and famous quotes. That is robbing him of character. He was a fantastic man who oozed charisma and life force.

Houllier is the same. You only have to look at what he has done since his operation last year. He came close to death. The first thing he started to work towards was getting back to work. He even said that it was pointless living if he couldn't have football (I am paraphrasing a lot there). He would not die for the club, and I wouldn't want him to. But I genuinely believe that he has great ambition and Liverpool is at the heart of it. No-one but he knows if he is doing it for egotistical reasons, just as no-one but Bill knew why he was so passionate and single minded. These people are giants. That might sound pretentious, but i believe it. It is like attaching the club to a racehorse and clinging on for dear life.

As with racehorses, you have to risk to gain. In my mind I have seen enough to know for myself that i am willing to run with Houllier, invest my feelings in his dream and his vision. I was most unsure last year as we were playing unattractive football, but I really feel that Houllier wants first and foremost to win, but the Frenchman in him wants to show off and that we will see the creative side coming to the fore.

At least we have a solid base on which to build attractive football. Houllier built the base almost entirely (Dudek, Riise, Hyypiä, Henchoz and Carragher/Babbel). All brought in by Houllier with the exception of Carragher (and Houllier has used him where other managers would maybe not. Carragher is an underrated player everywhere, as well you know).

The new signings are showing a bit more of what they can do now. Diao looks good, Cheyrou too. Baros has come to life. Diouf, remembering the personal issues he has had to deal with, will come good I have no doubt. Add to that the established players of Gerrard, Murphy, Hamann, Owen and Heskey, and you have a fascinating mix of real quality players. Vladi might even show us all what we know he is capable of.

The main thing is that the squad is young. That means at the current state of play, we have not only have the one of the best squads, but the one with THE most potential bar none. Show me another squad that has more potential and I will paint my arse blue and wear stick on Rooney McMonkey ears all day long.