GERARD HOULLIER would have one of the most admired teams in Europe - if only they were Italian.
Instead, everyone else seems to be jumping on the same bandwagon by branding Liverpool a dull, counter-attacking team.
They should get nothing but respect and praise for their achievements as they can also be a very exciting and exhilarating team to watch, especially away from home.
Liverpool are hard to play against, hard to beat and keep on winning games 1-0.
They are superb at frustrating opponents who then complain they are negative, just as Franz Beckenbauer did after they beat Bayer Leverkusen last week.
What nonsense! Would Leverkusen swap that result just to be known as a more attractive team?
Bayern Munich are also very good defensively and hard to break down which is why, just like Liverpool, they have a strong hold over Manchester United.
When Bayern won the Champions League last year everyone put that down to great German efficiency which was admired, but they are far from being more attractive than Liverpool.
Houllier has done a terrific job getting Liverpool to this stage where they are chasing domestic and European success.
They have great forwards in Michael Owen, Emile Heskey, Nicolas Anelka and Jari Litmanen.
But they do lack natural width and one potential target, Marc Overmars, would give them flair and class.
They remind me of George Graham's Arsenal team of the early 1990s who were very hard to beat and defensively strong - and then they won the title in 91 after signing Anders Limpar.
That is what Liverpool need to compliment a strong midfield and defensive backbone, while also giving good service to their world class strikers.
Liverpool have great midfield quality in Steven Gerrard and Dietmar Hamman, and their defence means they can go anywhere and get a result.
Sami Hyypia and Stephane Henchoz are the best central defensive pairing in Europe and Hyypia's absence from the players nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award is a disgrace.
The centre halves are strong and dominant and also the reason why Houllier has the makings of a dynasty of success at Anfield.
Liverpool are capable of winning in Leverkusen because they are so dangerous on the counter-attack.
Houllier's men will reach the semi-finals and that should mean a showdown with Manchester United.
Bearing in mind Liverpool's great record against United in recent seasons, Houllier's men could be on the verge of European greatness.
If they win the Champions League it would take a brave man to brand them boring while they are kings of Europe.
Finally, I am very pleased for Sam Allardyce and Bolton that they appear to be safe from relegation - even if it does mean I will have to shave off my moustache.
That was the £1,500 charity bet struck with a few Bolton fans after I tipped them to go down which hardly pleased Sam.
CHALKBOARD
THE central defensive pairing of Sami Hyypia and Stephane Henchoz is just part of Liverpool's success. Midfield duo Steven Gerrard and Dietmar Hamann also offer great protection and they get the ball forward quickly to Emile Heskey and Michael Owen. Their ability to defend deep and use their attacking pace is why they are one of the most feared counter-attacking teams in Europe.