Houllier praise for Liverpool 'heroes'

Last updated : 03 April 2002 By Ananova

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier praised his 'heroes' after their slender 1-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final.

Captain Sami Hyypia scored the only goal of the game just before half-time to give the Anfield side a slight advantage.

"It is a good result. They (Leverkusen) showed why they won their group. They are a good team and they made us look ordinary at times because of their pressing," Houllier said.

"But in terms of concentration and tactical discipline it was alright and the level of physical aspect was good."

Houllier, who is still easing his way back into management after major heart surgery last year, told ITV he was pleased to be back on the touchline.

"It is good to be back because they are special nights but the boys have been special throughout the season and they behaved like heroes," he said.

"Sometimes they showed they could play good football and sometimes they showed they could withstand the opposition."

Hyypia was singled out for praise, with Houllier saying: "The captain is always present when you need him but I think his goal was vital for us.

"In the second half we had more chances and we could have had some more goals but 1-0 is good enough."

Houllier refused to contemplate the prospect of a semi-final clash with Manchester United.

"Fifty per cent of the work had been done but we have a team which believes in itself," he said.

"An English semi-final would be interesting but we have got 90 minutes to play in Leverkusen and we think we will make it."