Gerard Houllier told talkSPORT that he will visit Jurgen Klopp WHEN Liverpool is finally crowned Premier League champion this season so he can congratulate him on his incredible achievement.
The former Reds boss joined Jim White for a chat at Wembley in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final, which saw Manchester City beat Aston Villa to lift the trophy for the third consecutive year.
But the Frenchman wanted to talk about the previous clash of the day between Liverpool and Watford, while the Reds suffered their first defeat in the championship of the campaign in an amazing way.
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Liverpool just couldn’t handle Watford because Ismaila Sarr scored twice ahead of Alisson in a 3-0 victory for the Hornets
Klopp’s team simply was not present at the races when two goals from Ismaila Sarr and another from captain Troy Deeney ended Liverpool’s hopes of staying undefeated all season.
Liverpool’s performance was unusually strenuous at Vicarage Road, this display being the last in a series of underperforming games since the team returned after the winter break.
The Reds appear to have lost momentum since their mid-season vacation and have been mistaken in their last four games – 1-0 win over Norwich, 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid, 3-2 win over West Ham and now their last 3-0 loss to Watford.
Now their attention will shift to their FA Cup clash at Chelsea on Tuesday, before hosting Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday.
And Houllier insists that Liverpool cannot afford another mistake.
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Liverpool suffered a rare blow to Watford on Saturday
“The day I thought Watford had more intensity in his game,” the former Reds manager told talkSPORT. “But it’s not the end of the world. It happens.
“The next game is the most important for Liverpool.
“A big team doesn’t lose twice in a row, that’s what I think.”
Nevertheless, Houllier remains confident that Liverpool has the determination to end their mini-slump.
The fleeing leaders still have a 22-point lead at the top, although that lead could be reduced to 19 if City won their match.
And Houllier is “sure” that Klopp can lead the club to its first Premier League title and first league crown since 1990.
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Klopp’s men have suffered an unknown defeat – but Houllier insists Liverpool will not go to bed now
He added, “I admire the spirit and quality of the team, the way they play, the passion and enthusiasm they have in their game, and I greatly admire my friend Jurgen Klopp.
“We are staying in touch and I will go see him to congratulate him on this title, because if there is one thing, I am sure Liverpool will win the title.
“And no one will be happier and more proud than me.”
I’m sure there are a lot of people who will disagree with this, but it’s still a good feeling.
Listen to Gerard Houllier’s chat with talkSPORT above
