Houllier hails positive attitude

Last updated : 07 May 2004 By Chris Maxwell
The under-fire Frenchman expects more of the same industry and steel from his Champions League-chasers as the Reds seek to claim a top four spot with wins over Birmingham and Newcastle.

Houllier said: "I firmly believe the players will continue to give everything I ask of them in terms of attitude and commitment to achieve our target.

"You may have noticed a change in the attitude over the last two games. They were two good performances rewarded with two good results and I expect the same over the next two matches.

"We enjoy the challenge. When you live at the top you expect pressure. We've had a tough season with a lot of injuries and I must take my hat off to the players that we are still fourth and still competing.

"We'll give it our best shot to hold onto fourth place. We've been holding that position for some weeks now and I think people sometimes forget that. When I read newspaper articles I'm thinking we're sixth, seventh or eighth. Despite the fact we have dropped some points of late, the players have kept their heads up and have been very good.

"I think the players are clever and I think they are enjoying what they are doing at the moment. That's important because the more you enjoy what you do then the better you perform.

"I can't wait for these games to be played now. I am sure the players will deliver something special. We are in control of the situation and we know what we have to do. Let's do it."