Houllier believes United will reach final

Gerard Houllier is convinced Manchester United can go on and overcome Bayer Leverkusen in the semi-finals of the Champions League…

Gerard Houllier is convinced Manchester United can go on and overcome Bayer Leverkusen in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

First of all, of course, Sir Alex Ferguson's side have to complete the job at Old Trafford tonight against Deportivo La Coruna.

Houllier does not expect United to give up the 2-0 advantage. He also feels they have enough about them to reach the final.

His assessment regarding their chances against Leverkusen was brief and to the point. "They will definitely win," he said in the aftermath of Liverpool's extraordinary defeat last night.

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Klaus Toppmoller, coach of the German league leaders, cut short his celebrations so he could fly to Manchester today and see their next opponents at first hand.

A superb goal from Lucio six minutes from time secured Leverkusen's passage into the last four after a roller-coaster second leg. Michael Ballack opened the scoring only for Abel Xavier, back after a hamstring strain, to pull Liverpool level.

Michael Owen squandered a series of good chances and Leverkusen went ahead on aggregate through Ballack's second goal of the game and Dimitar Berbatov's incisive finish.

Jari Litmanen appeared to have thrown Liverpool a lifeline only for Lucio to have the last word. It was a bitter blow for Houllier, making his first trip abroad with the squad after major heart surgery last October.