With Stephane Henchoz short of match-fitness and Salif Diao set to serve a three-match ban after being dismissed in the mini-derby, Houllier must utilise his available talent to its maximium potential.
Houllier said: "We lost Didi Hamann before the start of the season and we're also without Chris Kirkland, Jamie Carragher and Milan Baros. We lost Danny Murphy in the reserves during the week and we'll probably lose Salif Diao because he was sent off in that game.
"Stephane Henchoz is only just coming back into the picture now. We're a bit thin on the ground right now."