Houllier blames injury list for poor form

Already 20 ponits off the pace, albeit with a game in hand on Manchester United, Liverpool will need to turn things around if they are to clinch fourth place and qualification for the Champions League.

But Houllier insists that injuries to key players is the main reason for the poor season so far.

"It's not an excuse, this is a fact," he said. "Michael Owen hasn't been available to us since 4th October. When he was playing up until then he was scoring practically every game he played.

"We have been without Milan Baros and Jamie Carragher and we have missed them. Harry Kewell has been missing for three weeks and with the injuries we have had we have been unable to challenge with the top three. Realistically now we have to compete for fourth place with a number of other teams.

"I am confident that when we get everyone back and fit we will be a lot better."