Houllier delighted with French starlets

The Reds boss has continually insisted that both player's need more time to adapt to the rigours of English football, but a series of dazzling pre-season performances have led him to announce that the former Le Havre duo 'will be knocking on the door of the first team' sooner then he had thought possible.

Houllier said: "I think they will be knocking on the door of the first team sooner than I thought.

"I knew how good they were, but I have to say the speed with which they have settled has surprised me. If you have seen all our pre-season games and followed us, you know yourself how well they have performed.

"Of course, we must still be patient. Remember when Arsenal signed Nicolas Anelka it took him two years to break through."