ALAN HANSEN has become the latest Liverpool legend to stick the boot in on manager Gerard Houllier.
The former Scotland star reckons Houllier’s side need major surgery before they can reclaim their place among England’s elite.
And BBC pundit Hansen insists the Kop club should have the strength in depth to overcome injuries to the likes of Michael Owen and Harry Kewell.
Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat by Southampton was their fourth home Premiership defeat of the season and fifth in total.
Anfield hero Ian St John has called for Houllier to go and Hansen, who made 621 Reds appearances in a glittering career, also believes the Frenchman is running out of excuses.
He insisted: “There was a time when it was the opposition at Anfield who would be restricted to a 10-minute spell when they gained the upper hand. Now it’s the other way round.
“There was a time when you went to Anfield in the knowledge that Liverpool were going to win. Now I go more in hope.
“I fear for them defensively because they look vulnerable.
“I take no pleasure from watching Liverpool in trouble. I know how much Gerard and Phil Thompson have put into this team and I know how many injuries they have.
“But there are fundamental problems with this team that have to be solved if they are to get a Champions League spot.
“Without Owen and Kewell it is only natural that Liverpool will struggle to score. With Milan Baros out of the team as well, Houllier has a real problem.
“But this is Liverpool we are talking about. Injuries are part and parcel of football.
“Owen’s injury has highlighted the fact that the goals have come from just one part of the team.
“Emile Heskey has been made a scapegoat too many times. But against Southampton on Saturday we saw he is still unsure whether he’s a striker or midfielder.
“Owen’s pace terrifies defences and Heskey has the ability to do the same.
“At the back, I fear for a team that can’t defend high up the pitch. Two years ago, Stephane Henchoz and Sami Hyypia, with Didi Hamann in front, were solid.
“But Hyypia and Hamann lack pace, which means they have to defend deep. That means Liverpool cannot squeeze teams or put them under the kind of pressure that their attackers can thrive on.
“It is impossible to ignore the lack of strength in depth. It seems inconceivable that the ‘big three’ in the Premiership no longer includes Liverpool.
“Every team struggle at some point but Liverpool have been poor too often. Yes, the buck stops with the manager. He buys the players and he picks the team. But if his players want to help him, then nothing beats a win.”
Houllier defended his players again following the Saints defeat.
Unfortunately for Houllier, those are the same men he will be defending when he is clearing his desk. His odds have been slashed from 3-1 to 6-4 to be the next Premiership chief axed.
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