Houllier explains Champions League failure - 利物浦足球俱樂部 Liverpool Football Club

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier believes that a number of factors beyond
his control contributed to the Reds worst season since he took sole charge
of the club.


The Reds boss feels that key injuries to the likes of Dietmar Hamann and
Stephane Henchoz, as well as temporary lapses in form for many top stars,
helped to undermine a campaign that started with such high expectations.

Houllier said: "I think the slump was due to several factors. There was a
loss of form in several key players, some of whom also suffered as a result
of the World Cup. We didn't lose the Champions League place at Chelsea, we
lost it during our bad slump.

"There were a few games when we had chances to finish teams off and didn't,
which gave the opposition more confidence.

"The home record was not good enough. Before the Chelsea game the statistics
showed that only Manchester United had more shots than we did so we do attack,
we are not negative, but unfortunately we lacked the clinical finish at times
and we were not as strong or solid at the back as we have been in recent
seasons.

"We did attack but two things went wrong. The finishing wasn't in proportion
to the amount of chances we created, Jurgen Macho had two great games all
season and they were both against us, and around the box we weren't effective
enough. That's why we need someone who can bring that spark.

"We scored practically as many goals as the season before but conceded 11
more. That was one of our fortes the year before.

"We missed Didi Hamann for a number of months and Steven Gerrard when he had
his bad period and a costly suspension. Plus we were without Stephane Henchoz
for almost half the season.

"The problems give us an explanation, not an excuse, and we want to work on
them. We know we have under-achieved but I still feel we need a bit more time.

"This squad has been rebuilt in my time here, we have won six trophies and
reached the Champions League twice. That has been excellent. But this season
some players prospered and some didn't. We must keep the nucleus and do better."


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