Houllier said: "I am trying to determine the best way to get where we want to be but people outside don't always see that. This club has changed a lot. We know where we want to go. We will play in the Champions League next season. We will be there. Manchester United were 12 points behind Arsenal at one stage last season and still won it. You don't know how it is going to go.
"The league is still tight and if we win our next three games, see what happens. The most important periods in the Premier League are Christmas and Easter. There are still 29 games to play. Win 20 and we are in it. We could do with less injured players than we have at the moment. The competition is harder than ever, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea are all above us, but we are making progress and we will get there."