Heskey: We can win everything with Houllier
Last updated : 21 March 2002 By Darren Lewis, The Mirror
Emile Heskey last night reflected on one of the greatest performances in Liverpool's history - and revealed it has convinced him never to leave the club.
Heskey scored the brilliant second of the goals that shattered Italian champions Roma in front of a delirious Anfield, reminiscent of the great days of the Seventies and Eighties.
But it was the return from illness of the inspirational Gerard Houllier that has lifted Liverpool to a new level of ambition that Heskey is desperate to remain a part of.
Still buzzing from securing their place in the last eight of the Champions League, he said: "Gerard means a lot to the players, the club and the entire city. We have never been off course without him but, with him back, there is no telling what we can achieve.
"I know that I never want to leave the club. Where would I go? This win has proved that this club is the equal of anyone in Europe.
"I have two more years to go on my contract and I will sign again.
"You ask anyone at the club and they will tell you the same thing. No one wants to leave because of what Gerard gives us.
"You saw for yourself. He has improved the game of every player at this club.
"I went through a bad run midway through the season, but the manager and Phil Thompson have always been behind me. That has never changed. Now I have scored 13 goals, which speaks for itself."
Liverpool have always maintained Houllier would return following the Frenchman's open heart surgery in October.
But no one had expected him to lead his troops going into the contest they had to win in order to leap from rock-bottom in Group B to a qualifying position.
However, Houllier's double-clenched fist celebration at the completion of the 2-0 demolition job of Fabio Capello's side remains the enduring image from yet another thrilling night in the legendary arena.
Heskey, an £11million signing from Leicester two seasons ago, revealed the Anfield boss made a stirring speech in the minutes leading up to the game.
Heskey added: "It was such a nice feeling to win but to have the manager there was even more important. You can't underestimate how important he is to the players.
"The history of the club is well known so to be part of it is one thing but to score the crucial goal was amazing. You can't put it into words.
"Gerard has taken the game of all of our players to another level. Just him being there was a massive boost. Before the game he just told us to go out there and do it. He said: 'I know what you are capable of and that you can win this match.'
"After the game he just came in and said: 'Well done.' He talked a bit to all the lads but he knew we could do it anyway.
"It wasn't the first time he has been in our dressing room pre-match since Leeds, but this time was obviously the most important because we all wanted to do well. For him."
So caught up was Heskey in the electric atmosphere of the occasion, the Reds hitman even forgot to spin his imaginary turntables in triumph, standing instead star-shaped to be mobbed by his ecstatic team-mates.
He added: "For my goal I just got up as high as I could and directed the ball.
The power I got on it just beat the keeper. I was so happy that I even forgot to do my normal goal celebration!
"Roma are an excellent side and we beat them fair and square. I can't remember the stadium ever being so loud.
"The fans were magnificent and we were just proud we could give them something to remember.Especially without Michael Owen.
"He is having a bad run with injuries at the moment but Jari Litmanen came in and did a good job and proved we are not one-dimensional.
"Michael has suffered with injuries but at Liverpool everybody supports everybody.''
Tellingly, Heskey has echoed the firm belief of Arsenal striker Thierry Henry that the main trophy to win is the Premiership.
He insisted: "I really can understand where Thierry is coming from when he says that. I am English, this league is the league I play in week to week.
"No matter what happens in Europe I want to do well here in the Premiership. Liverpool can do it. The way I see it there are nine games left and every game is a cup game. We want to get to the final."
Chelsea are up next in Liverpool's dual trophy hunt this Sunday, with a win vital for both sides. a tough game because we need to win to keep up our chances of winning the title."
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, with 27 goals already this season, alongside Eidur Gudjohnsen, will ensure that the Liverpool backline, so outstanding against Roma, will need to maintain their fine form in the lunchtime showdown.
"Jimmy is a very, very good player," added Heskey. "Most people don't even get the chance to see his shots before they land in the net.
"He has a good shot on both feet and is strong on the ball as well.
"He and Chelsea will be disappointed that things have not gone as well as they would have liked earlier in the season.
"But they are looking really good at the moment and we will need to be at the top of our game against them."
LIVERPOOL'S Emile Heskey was sporting the funky new Nike Mercurial Vapor boot as he spoke to Mirror Sport.
Weighing just 194g per boot, Vapors are even lighter than the famed track spikes worn by sprint sensation Maurice Green at the Sydney Olympics.
We were given a sneak preview of the boots, set to become this summer's talking point with Ronaldo, Arsenal's Thierry Henry and Lazio super-striker Hernan Crespo all wearing them at the World Cup Finals.
Already two years in development, over 200 players, including Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, have been used to test and fine-tune the boot's power.
Heskey was also wearing Nike's new Cool Motion training vest. The double-layer and dri-fit technology will help regulate the temperature of the world's biggest stars in the Far East.
Brazil, Portugal and England's final group opponents Nigeria will all be wearing the Cool Motion shirts this summer.
