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'The final hurdle' Houllier says Liverpool is not UEFA Cup favorite
LIVERPOOL, England (Reuters) -- Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier has dismissed suggestions his team is an odds-on favorite to complete a unique cup treble by lifting the UEFA Cup on Wednesday. The English Premier League side, which won the FA Cup last weekend and the League Cup in March, are being quoted as 4/7 to beat surprise finalists Alaves and add the UEFA Cup to this season's haul for a cup treble, never previously accomplished by an English team. But Houllier has warned against complacency, insisting the Spanish team will not be in Dortmund just for the excitement of reaching their first major European final. "When you get through to a final the two teams both deserve to be there and both have an equal chance," Houllier said. "We probably had the more difficult run, but Alaves have beaten Inter Milan and Kaiserslautern, so they deserve respect and credit for that. "I know the Primera Liga is strong because there is a good level of coaching and a good level of players. That is why so many of their teams were in the later stages of European competition. In the quarterfinals of the Champions League and the semifinals of the UEFA Cup there were six or seven Spanish teams. "When you manage to go through 12 UEFA Cup games, and reach the final hurdle, that means first of all you have been very competitive. But it also means you have quality and as soon as the game starts on Wednesday, Alaves will be competing to win. Club history"The media talk about the history of both clubs and that Alaves are happy to be there. But they will not just to turn up to enjoy the occasion -- they will be there to win the game." Houllier admitted he was surprised Liverpool battled their way to a third major final of a hectic season, which will also yield a Champions League place next season if they beat Charlton Athletic in their final league game. Proud of his team's feats, the Frenchman said: "The aim for many managers is to make their team progress and achieve success. When you are a manager of a team that is doing so well, that gives you a real feeling of pride. "Obviously being in the UEFA Cup final is a major event, but leading your team to three cup finals in a year is a record because nobody has achieved that before." Looking back, he said: "Early in the UEFA Cup we had to play Olympiakos, who were a Champions League team. We did well and after that game I thought it would give us confidence. "Then we faced Roma, who I still think were a better side than us. But when you do that you have to get organized. We did that and Michael Owen was the difference with two goals in Italy. Superior Barcelona"After that tie, I thought we had a chance because they were one of the best sides. Then came Porto, and finally Barcelona, who are also superior to us at the moment. "We knew we could frustrate them and we knew we could score and thankfully that is what happened. "Now, what I want us to do is keep the determination and desire to win things." Houllier, who is likely to hand captain Robbie Fowler a starting role as consolation for being named as substitute in the FA Cup final, is stoical about his team's busy schedule. "It is a shame the UEFA Cup final comes only three days after the FA Cup final. But in England, the one thing you learn very quickly is to stop moaning and whinging about the fixtures. "I am learning fast and all the games are now priorities to me. The Charlton game is also a final, but this is the end of the season and we are involved in a final sprint. "You don't have time to prioritize because each game is important. We will be up for both of them."
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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