Houllier leads sack race

A paltry total of just one point from opening games at home to Chelsea and away to Aston Villa has led leading bookmakers William Hills to install the beleaguered Frenchman as 4-1 favourite (in from 7-1 before the dour draw with Aston Villa) alongside Tottenham coach Glenn Hoddle.

Liverpool are also now a distant 20-1 shot for the Premiership title following their poor start to the campaign that has left them five points adrift of Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea.