WINNERS DECISION BY FRANCE IS SO STUPID
Houllier thrilled, but not shocked, by his old club being crowned champions:
GERARD HOULLIER bursts with pride as he reflects on his memories of lifting trophies with Liverpool.
Not just at his own fulfilment and satisfaction, but because he reckons “the DNA of Liverpool is silverware”.
The club’s former France boss is now relishing Liverpool’s longawaited title triumph.
Not since 1990 have Liverpool been crowned champions of England and never before in the Premier League.
But that sorry statistic for one of the historic powerhouses of English football will end when the delayed season resumes.
Houllier is thrilled at the prospect after a long love affair with Liverpool, which peaked when he won six trophies as boss from 1998-2004.
His only regret is the club’s fans will not be there as games are behind closed doors due to Covid-19.
Houllier, 72, said: “The DNA of Liverpool is silverware. To get the title it is a special reward for everyone.
“It has been a long wait of 30 years. It is a title which is a reward to the fans for their loyalty and what they have gone through.
“It rewards all the Liverpool supporters all around the world. It is a title which rewards the players and their staff.
“Not only will they win it, but they will do it in style with a 25-point lead at the moment which has never been seen before.
“In my time we were lucky to have six trophies.
“But Jurgen Klopp won the Champions League last season then the
UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and now this. It is just a shame to me Liverpool fans won’t be able to experience it at Anfield.
“The fans I hope will be disciplined enough to wait until better times to celebrate the title.
“I hope to be there then too, but we don’t know yet when they are going to be crowned.”
Back in Houllier’s day it was Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard who were the key men as they memorably lifted the old UEFA Cup (left), FA Cup and League Cup in 2001.
Now Houllier traces the recent
Gerard Paul Francis Houllier
3 September 1947 (age 72) Thérouanne, France[2]
Midfielder
Alsop Hucqueliers Le Touquet
Le Touquet Noeux-les-mines Lens Paris Saint-germain France (assistant manager) ger) France France U18 France U20 Liverpool (joint with Roy Evans) Liverpool
Lyon
Aston Villa upturns in Liverpool’s fortunes to the crucial additions of star defender Virgil van Dijk in January 2018 and Brazil keeper Alisson just months later.
“He bought two players who made a huge difference – Van Dijk and Alisson,” he added.
“He spotted the weak points of the team and if you look at the results since Van Dijk and Alisson have been there it is phenomenal.
“Even last year I would say they nearly deserved to win the title as well. They had one defeat in 38 games and had 97 points.
“It was just because Manchester City were outstanding as well and had one more point.
“You have to give credit, which Jurgen did, to Manchester City who were phenomenal. City also won the title the year before with 100 points.
“Then the following season to have 98, that is tremendous and you have to acknowledge that.”
But despite Liverpool’s supremacy this season, Houllier is sceptical as to whether the club will be able to repeat their dominance from the 1980s when they won the title six times.
He added: “Of course they have a chance, but if you ask me I think now the competition between Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham and all these clubs will play a bigger part.”
So Houllier wants Liverpool fans to savour the celebrations of this imminent triumph when the virus allows.
Their former boss will look to join in as well and raise a glass with of his preferred tipple... a French red.
......... 16 July 1998 ............ 24 May 2004
....................... 307 ............................ 160
.......................... 73 ..............................
74 .................... 516
........... 298 ................. 52.12%
PROJECT Restart has been hailed by Gerard Houllier, who claims France made a “stupid and stubborn mistake” in cancelling their league.
The Premier League is gearing up to resume on June 17 after the shutdown due to the coronavirus.
Former Liverpool and Aston Villa boss Houllier believes the return of top-flight football can give the whole nation a lift.
But he blasted the decision by the government in his native France to end Ligue 1 in April by scrapping all the remaining fixtures with 11 domestic games left to play.
Houllier (below) said: “Football to me is about hope and optimism.
“Football in
Germany has resumed, which is fair for the competition and also a massive boost mentally for the people. France made a mistake. They took a very hasty decision.
“Not only was it stupid, but now it is stupid and stubborn.
“They should say we made a mistake, now we correct the mistake and we start again.
“The Premier League waited until the last minute to see whether they would be able to resume the competition or not. I think it is a very good thing.”
To complicate matters, French clubs Lyon and newlycrowned champions Paris Saint-germain are still in the Champions League.
But Houllier fears their prospects in Europe will be badly affected by the absence of competitive games in the build-up.
He added: “Lyon have to play a second leg against Juventus and PSG are already into the quarter-finals.
“But they won’t have any competition before, it will be difficult. A friendly doesn’t replace competition.
“They will be handicapped if you consider it.”