Houllier: 'Big' players will rise to the challenge

Last updated : 10 May 2003 By Chris Maxwell
The Reds boss believes results against Manchester United - in the Worthington Cup final - and Everton in the recent Merseyside derby at Goodison prove that his side are at their best when the pressure is at its most intense.

Houllier said: "That's what we want. One of the key qualities is to be relaxed, to be peaceful, quiet and confident."

"When we played in the final of the Worthington Cup we were obviously the underdogs, Manchester were flying. When we played Everton, everybody expected us to lose and people wrote that it was the end of the reign of the Reds. We just kept our cool and our composure."

"I don't want to suffer another final day disappointment. Over the last four years we have competed to get into the Champions League right to the end.

"We have played in it twice, missed out once on the last day and this season we are playing a cup final at Stamford Bridge."