Houllier fights off critics
If you have got the support of the board and a connection with your players you have no problems and I have that
Gerard Houllier has insisted he is taking Liverpool into a bright future - and dismissed claims that he has been put under pressure by Anfield chairman David Moores.
Houllier's job as Liverpool manager was called into question after Moores wrote in his annual report that Champions League qualification was the "minimum acceptable target".
But, in an exclusive interview with this website, Houllier declared he was confident he would deliver Moores' request for a return to the Champions League, and did not rule out a top-three finish for Liverpool.
He told BBC Sport: "I laughed when I read the context of what had been said. It was taken out of context. The chairman was simply saying what I have said all along.
"We set our target to get into the Champions League and we want to win every competition we enter.
"We have to have a winning culture at Liverpool and we have won trophies here, although it is obvious we wanted to be in the Champions League this season."
Liverpool are currently sixth in the Premiership and Houllier was bitterly disappointed after the Carling Cup exit at home to Bolton Wanderers.
Moores has since distanced himself from suggestions that he delivered an ultimatum to Houllier - and the Liverpool boss is in optimistic mood about the future.
We will be fighting to improve our position and get into the top four or third place, which is not out of reach
Gerard Houllier
Houllier said: "Steven Gerrard has just signed a new contract here and expressed his view about the way he feels things are going.
"He is happy to stay because he sees we are moving forward. The board simply want to make sure we are keeping going and moving forward.
"There is more pressure from external things. What is important is what is felt inside the club.
"If you have got the support of the board and a connection with your players you have no problems, and I have that."
Moores did pay tribute to Houllier's summer signings Harry Kewell and Steve Finnan, plus the arrival of French teenagers Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Anthony Le Tallec.
Chairman Moores said: "They represent perhaps the most exciting group of signings in a long time.
"I am proud to report that they were attracted to the club by their respect for Gerard Houllier as a coach, manager and mentor to professional footballers."
And Houllier was equally pleased: "We have done well with both Harry Kewell and Steve Finnan and the two young boys have been exciting and look to be very good for the future - they are gems.
"We haven't done that badly. We have won trophies and we are still in a decent league position going into the turn of the year.
"We were without five players at Newcastle that are first-team regulars in Michael Owen, Harry Kewell, Steve Finnan, Jamie Carragher and Milan Baros. We are also without Stephane Henchoz.
"Imagine if Newcastle had been without Laurent Robert, Alan Shearer and Shola Ameobi? They would have been affected, but I was proud of the way the players responded.
"With those injury problems, I think our position is not bad and I think pretty well everybody will be back in January.
"After that I think we will be really in there fighting strong to improve our position and get into the top four or third place, which is not out of reach."
He added: "I think we have a squad that can bring Champions League football back."
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