WHAT is Gerard Houllier playing at saying he disagrees with the mentality of Liverpool fans towards their great rivals Manchester United?

The Anfield boss said it won't go down well with Liverpool fans but he hopes United win the Champions League.

Then his midfielder Danny Murphy plays down the rivalry between United and Liverpool spouting on about there not being any animosity from Liverpool towards United.

I'm sure there's not but that's not the point. The last thing football needs is violent rivalry but the moment you take away healthy derby passion then you are diluting the lifeblood of the game for the fans.

What was the most memorable game for Bolton this season? Beating United. For City? Beating United. For United? Beating Liverpool. For Birmingham? Beating Villa.

Houllier simply doesn't understand the meaning of cross-city rivalry. The fact there are three points on offer in a derby is totally irrelevant until the short term celebrations have ceased and the long term bragging rights have been taken away by the next derby defeat.