After spending so much money Liverpool were a lot further behind the leaders when Houllier left than before he arrived

Houllier couldn’t deal with players expressing any anger or questioning any of his decisions

Nothing had changed in my routine, except that when I went down the chippy and got me special fried rice, it would be wrapped in a newspaper that had my picture all over it.

After spending so much money Liverpool were a lot further behind the leaders when Houllier left than before he arrived

An image has stuck for most of my career and it isn't flattering.

If you pray enough for things, I am proof that they can happen. I feel like a kid on Christmas day now, every day. It's something I have wanted for a long time and I am as happy as anyone to be here. It is great to be back at my first love.

Maybe if I'd not been able to kick a ball it would have been different, but I doubt it because all my mates are decent blokes now, just normal fellas with families.