Houllier confident after Anfield win

Gerard Houllier is confident Liverpool can clinch a Champions League semi-final place against Manchester United.

Gerard Houllier is confident Liverpool can clinch a Champions League semi-final place against Manchester United.

Liverpool will take a slim advantage to Germany next Tuesday after Sami Hyypia's 44th-minute winner against Beyer Leverkusen at Anfield last night.

Liverpool boss Houllier said: "An English semi-final would be interesting but we have got 90 minutes to play in Leverkusen and we think we will make it.

"At the moment the team are flying. They have improved in the league and in Europe. This was our 15th game in the Champions League and we have lost only one. Our team is learning very fast and we have kept ourselves in a good position to qualify.

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"We are not over-confident. We know we can do well, whether at home or away, we have shown that in the past".

Houllier is hoping striker Michael Owen will be in better shape next week after working his way back from a hamstring injury. Owen found it hard to get going against Leverkusen and was replaced in the second half by Jari Litmanen.

Houllier said: "Owen was good and involved in goal. He's had better games but was always a threat. When Michael comes back after an injury, he needs to build up his match fitness. He is gradually coming back now".