Houllier: Diouf is one of my children

As head of the Reds family, Houllier knows he must show discipline to his errant charges when they step out of line. The Reds boss, though, is also aware of the fact that the African Player of the Year requires the support and understanding of his 'father'.

Houllier said: "Diouf is very down, but we will help and support him and I forgive him. It's like when you have a child who makes a mistake.

"Even if it's a big mistake, you try to understand and try to explain.
I can hear a lot of people saying all sorts of things about El Hadji Diouf, but he's a Liverpool player so he's one of my children."