But Houllier is adament that his new and improved side are equipped to make it to the finish line without such a splutter his time around.
"Mentally we are more equipped than last season to last the course. We know how to seize the opportunities now. Good teams learn fast.
"We've done a lot of work in the three years I have been here and we've set a benchmark for the future.
"The most important thing is we're learning from the past. We're more consistent now, more than last season. I know why - but I won't tell you."