After five years on Merseyside, Houllier is well aware that the transfer whispers will grow more vocal in the media as the season end approaches, and he expects his team to cope with all that is to come.
Houllier said: "It is an area of the game you have to be able to deal with. Speculation is something that happens at every club these days.
"At Liverpool there is always speculation and rumour, it is the nature of a big club. If you come here then there will always be stories about players being bought to fill your position, or players being sold.
"If you want to play for Liverpool then you have to be man enough to deal with it. You have to get on with your work. Of course it can create problems and uncertainty but it is the way you deal with it that matters. My players are experienced now and I expect them to deal professionally with it."