Houllier: I still need Fowler

Fowler ignored an order to apologise to Thompson and found himself dropped from the side and excluded from the squad altogether as Liverpool toppled the Premiership champions 2-1.

Houllier has been scouring the market for other options up front but has no intention of parting with Fowler while Liverpool close in on a place in the opening phase of the Champions League and prepare for a European Super Cup date with Bayern Munich, as well as domestic commitments.

He is also aware that Liverpool will need all the attacking options they can muster if they are to sustain a spirited challenge in the Premiership.

Although Fowler was bitterly disappointed at missing out on a starting place in last season's FA Cup and UEFA Cup finals and unhappy at again being left on the bench in Finland last week, he is in no hurry to desert the club he has served for 10 years.

Fowler is preparing to move to a new home on the Wirral to distance himself from trouble-spots in the Liverpool area that have snared him in the past.

He believes he showed further signs of his ability to accept responsibility by marrying Kerry Hannon, the mother of his two children, during the summer.

Houllier, for his part, is ready to give him another chance to cement a place in his plans for overthrowing United as the power in the land and will outline his case when the pair meet.

With Michael Owen indicating a willingness to reach agreement on a new five-year contract and highly-rated 19-year-old Czech Republic striker Milan Baros expected to complete a £3.3million move from Banik Ostrava when a work permit is granted later this season, Houllier is pressing ahead with his attempt to build a squad to rival Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United.