Houllier backs France

Houllier has enjoyed the attacking football played

Gerard Houllier With BBC Sport Online's man in Japan, Phil McNulty

France have been one of the big stories of the early days of this World Cup - a tournament that has made a very entertaining and attacking start.

I have been delighted to see so many teams committed to attack, so many groups open, and so few goalless draws.

The World Cup holders have a difficult task in their last game against Denmark.

But I don't think it is impossible for them to win by the two goals they need.

England fear no-one

France must almost treat it like a European game where they need to get goals to get back from 1-0 down - and they can do it.

I think Denmark are not strong in the air at the back so people like David Trezeguet, Marcel Desailly and Patrick Vieira may take advantage.

Zidane has had to watch from the bench so far

France have also been heavily hit by the loss of two very creative players in Robert Pires and Zinedine Zidane.

I don't know whether they under-estimated Senegal, but they seemed to be over-run on the physical side.

I think lots of the European teams have been struggling in the humidity.

For many of the French players who have won trophies at club level - such as those at Arsenal who won the Double - it is difficult to pick up the pace and start again so soon after finishing the season.

When I spoke to BBC Sport Online before the World Cup, I tipped Senegal as a team who could do well.

And they have proved that by beating France and drawing with Denmark.

They are well organised, and although I don't think they will go too far, people know about their players now.

Christanval on standby

I have signed El Hadji Diouf and Salif Diao for Liverpool, deals I started to set up before the World Cup.

Diao is a strong powerful midfield player and Diouf is a striker with real talent.

I didn't realise he was for sale until I discovered Lens were about to sell him to Valencia. I moved in and he has come to Liverpool.

Houllier has signed Senegal's Diao

It was not a case of signing these players because of their performances in the World Cup, although they have come to a lot more people's attention now.

The skill level in the games have been very good and the games themselves have been very exciting and entertaining - a very good spectacle.

South Korea and Japan have also done well, but the South Koreans have been getting stronger and Guud Hiddink has done a great job there in a year.

I know the Japan coach Phillipe Troussier very well, and he has put together a very good team as well. He is a very talented coach.

I must say one game I really enjoyed watching was the Republic of Ireland against Germany.

It was almost like Germany themselves when the Republic got that late equaliser.

Senegal go for win

It was well deserved because they played with great spirit, both against Germany and the Cameroon, and it was a very good result for Mick McCarthy.

The World Cup has got off to a very good start and I hope it continues.