Houllier demands no more letdowns

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier has warned his stars not to let their fans down again. The Anfield manager, preparing for tomorrow's Mersey derby with Walter Smith's rejuvenated Everton, is determined his squad realise the importance of the occasion and accept their responsibilities.

Houllier is well aware his team let down their fans in their last home league game when they lost humiliatingly to champions Manchester United.

For them to slump again against their oldest enemy would be unforgivable, claims Houllier. He said: "We can't make our fans unhappy twice! They were very unhappy with the home defeat by Manchester United, and that mustn't happen against Everton. Winning at Anfield, especially after losing to Manchester United, is an absolute must.

"I will prepare my team by reminding them of the physical intensity of the derby and telling them that when they come off the pitch they mustn't have any regrets about their efforts."

He added: "I hope to win the derby for our fans. But I hope they will have other reasons to be happy. Winning the derby isn't enough for me. I want a level of consistency generally. That's what I'm looking for."

Houllier admits he has devoted time to work on defensive problems that have once again emerged after the United match and last weekend at Leicester.

"We have worked on the defence but we do not want to keep hammering away at them about the silly things they have done," he said.

"We must work on the positive things, and all I can say to them is that I want them to play good football and to play going forward."

Liverpool know they must improve their home form. Only Arsenal have been beaten at Anfield so far this season in the league.

Houllier is mindful of that and admitted: "It has been difficult at home. If you look at the games we have had you would have thought that against Watford would have been the most comfortable for us. But we played badly and lost and then we were beaten by United. The fans gave us such great support - particularly in the second half in that match - that we feel we owe them something now."

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