Smith backs Houllier to bring back glory days

By Craig McWalter
April 12 2002

Liverpool Legend Tommy Smith says Gerard Houllier is the man to bring back the Glory days to Anfield, This comes days after The Reds European Adventure ended in despair.

Liverpool legend Tommy Smith is backing Gerard Houllier to lead the club to greater glory after their Champions League adventure ended in despair.

Despite the setback in Germany, Smith insists he has every faith that Houllier will continue to emerge as a manager fit to rival any of his legendary Anfield predecessors.

"They all had bad nights, whether it was Shankly, Paisley, Fagan, Dalglish or Houllier," said Smith.

"It is about how you bounce back from those bad nights. We were always told, if someone nips your finger off, go back and bite their head off.

"Gerard Houllier has brought Liverpool back up to where they belong.

"It was becoming the forgotten club, sliding away from the public eye, but Gerard and Phil Thompson have brought back that little bit of confidence and pride.

"I think if anything, going out of the Champions League will spur them on in the Premiership."