Houllier: We don't lack leadership

The Reds boss believes such thoughts are only used when the team is going through a bad spell - though it must be noted that Phil Thompson admitted the side did lack an experienced leader on the pitch after the draw with Aston Villa. Houllier, it seems, does not agree with his assistants assessment.

Houllier told the clubs official website: "When we were on top of the table nobody was talking about leaders. We were fighting back, we are fighting back, but at the moment we are struggling and everyone is suffering during this difficult period. I insist that if we had just six points more, which we were entitled to after the games against Sunderland, then we would be on 41 and we would be significantly higher. That, in turn, would put a different complexion on things. It's true that there is often a very fine line between succeeding and not succeeding."