Houllier's Anfield target

Houllier sees a close race for the championship

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier talks exclusively to BBC Sport Online chief football writer Phil McNulty about the challenge at Anfield this season.

Gerard Houllier employs a simple observation that was once aimed at Liverpool to outline the size of his task at Anfield this season.

"If you finish above Manchester United you have a very good chance of winning the championship," Houllier told BBC Sport Online.

And that is what Liverpool's manager has as his target after dismissing claims that he had already run up the white flag of championship surrender towards Old Trafford before the opening exchanges of the new season.

Houllier's only crime was to be guilty of brutal realism when asked about Liverpool's title hopes.

Liverpool used to be named as the club the championship challengers had to top - now Houllier must reverse the trend and topple Manchester United.

Litmanen back in action

"I never surrendered anything. I never would. What I said was completely distorted. I think you have got to admit Manchester United are favourites - but who wouldn't say that?

"They have improved from last season in attack by signing Ruud Van Nistelrooy and in midfield with Juan Sebastian Veron.

"But at the same time I would say all the contenders will get bigger, and I include ourselves, Leeds, Arsenal, and of course Chelsea, who have re-inforced their team.

"I think the fight will maybe be between those five or six clubs and I think it will be a lot tighter than last season. There is also someone who usually comes through who you don't expect.

"But it is quite simple - if you finish above Manchester United you have a very good chance."

Houllier has had a relatively low-key summer in the transfer market, signing £4m Norway international John Arne Riise from Monaco as United spent nearly £50m and Arsenal almost £30m.

I am accused of spending too much one summer and then not spending enough the next, but football is a strange game isn't it?

  Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier

He has no regrets - in fact he smiles at what he sees as a heavy irony in his so-called summer of inactivity.

Houllier said: "I recall 12 months ago that people were worried about my spending and saying I had spent too much. They now worry when they say Houllier hasn't spent enough, he hasn't signed enough players.

"We will do business if we think it is right, but I think I am sending out an important signal about my team this summer.

"It shows I have great faith, belief and trust in these Liverpool players and what they can achieve.

"Also, the spending when I first took over was out of necessity. I had to do reconstruction work in the team, with a new goalkeeper, centre backs and a defensive midfield man.

"This costs money - but it is strange that I am accused of spending too much one summer and then not spending enough the next, but football is a strange game isn't it?"

Babbel's experience vital

Houllier has high hopes for the confident 20-year-old, Riise, saying: "He is made for English football. He is very strong, very competitive. He has a good left foot and appears to gel well with the rest of the team."

He can also call on the mercurial talents of Finland international Jari Litmanen, who missed much of last season through injury after his arrival from Barcelona.

Houllier said: "We will be delighted to have Jari available. He is a player of maturity who has won prizes at the highest level, along with players like Markus Babbel."

And Houllier believes the growing maturity of his team could play a key part in achieving Anfield's ambitions this season.