Liverpool deny Houllier threat

Liverpool have moved to rebut claims that manager Gerard Houllier faces the sack if the club fail to qualify for next season's Champions League.

In the club's annual report, chairman David Moores appeared to offer Houllier an ultimatum when he said that a Champions League place was the "minimum acceptable target".

But last night a club statement denied that Houllier's future was in doubt. "There was no ultimatum in the report," it said.

"There was no suggestion of the manager being sacked. In fact, it was an honest assessment from the chairman of what was at times a difficult season for everybody associated with the club.

"Far from laying down the law to Houllier, Moores also takes time to salute the manager's astute summer signings, as he welcomed Harry Kewell, Steve Finnan, Anthony Le Tallec and Florent Sinama-Pongolle to the club."