Liverpool have best supporters in the world
Gerard Houllier has labelled Liverpool supporters the best in the world as two of his former clubs prepared to battle it out at Anfield for their first ever meeting.
Houllier spent six years in charge of the Reds, before going on to manage Olympique Lyonnais from 2005 to 2007.
However, the former French international manager would not be drawn on which team he would be rooting for, although he could not hide his passion for Liverpool.
He said: "I will definitely be at the game and I don't think I will show my feelings and emotions whoever scores, but everyone knows that Liverpool is deep in my heart and always will be."
"At Anfield the fans are fantastic - the best in the world. You'll see the singing at the beginning of the game and it makes you shiver, it gives you some kind of different feeling," Houllier told Lyon TV.
"They're very supportive of their team. They like good football and they like their team to win, but not necessarily in an ugly way - they want their team to win in style."
The 62-year-old also revealed his admiration for his successor Rafa Benitez and Liverpool's current crop of players.
"Liverpool are a prestigious club," he said. "To me they are one of the best, if not the best, in Europe, with fantastic people, a great coach and good players."
Houllier also spoke of his frustration at not coming up against the Reds in the Champions League during his two years in charge of the French outfit.
He added: "I played nearly 20 Champions League games with Lyon and I never had the opportunity to meet one single British team, but since I've left they have played Manchester United and now they are playing Liverpool."
Gerard Houllier has labelled Liverpool supporters the best in the world as two of his former clubs prepared to battle it out at Anfield for their first ever meeting.
Houllier spent six years in charge of the Reds, before going on to manage Olympique Lyonnais from 2005 to 2007.
However, the former French international manager would not be drawn on which team he would be rooting for, although he could not hide his passion for Liverpool.
He said: "I will definitely be at the game and I don't think I will show my feelings and emotions whoever scores, but everyone knows that Liverpool is deep in my heart and always will be."
"At Anfield the fans are fantastic - the best in the world. You'll see the singing at the beginning of the game and it makes you shiver, it gives you some kind of different feeling," Houllier told Lyon TV.
"They're very supportive of their team. They like good football and they like their team to win, but not necessarily in an ugly way - they want their team to win in style."
The 62-year-old also revealed his admiration for his successor Rafa Benitez and Liverpool's current crop of players.
"Liverpool are a prestigious club," he said. "To me they are one of the best, if not the best, in Europe, with fantastic people, a great coach and good players."
Houllier also spoke of his frustration at not coming up against the Reds in the Champions League during his two years in charge of the French outfit.
He added: "I played nearly 20 Champions League games with Lyon and I never had the opportunity to meet one single British team, but since I've left they have played Manchester United and now they are playing Liverpool."
