The French manager has often dismissed claims that his side often resort to launching the ball aimlessly in the forlorn search of Michael Owen's boot or Emile Heskey's head, but he finally conceded that his side need to utilise the green grass of the football pitch on a more regular basis following a lacklustre defeat to Chelsea.
Houllier said: "I saw a lot of positive things last weekend. The negative part was that we played too many long balls. Of course, I know there are certain things which need improving, but equally there were certain things which brought me greater satisfaction than last season