Houllier blames Diouf

"I believe I have prepared the team for tomorrow with Baros, Cisse, (John Riise, Le Tallec and Sinama-Pongolle," he said. "But you know there are never perfect reinforcements."

The former Liverpool boss singled out El Hadji Diouf, signed for £10m from Lens, as one of the players who failed to live up to expectations.

"The disappointment is El Hadji Diouf, because he has a big potential, but he was never steady," added Houllier.