Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier has attacked George Burley for claiming his side are taking a victory at Anfield on Saturday for granted.

George Burley said yesterday: "I noticed that Liverpool are even saying they have finished second, but we have done well when we have been written off before."

Houllier denies Burley's claim and says his team always give their opposition respect: "I hear that George Burley has said we are taking victory for granted tomorrow.

"Either his words have been twisted or he is playing one of those games to motivate his players. I think he is just trying to stir something up.

"Our players and our staff always show respect for our opponents and we are never conceited or arrogant.

"We have never said we have already finished second. What I did say after the Blackburn game was that we had put ourselves into a good position and that it was in our hands. But we still give respect to the opposition."

Last year Houllier was unimpressed after Town refused to move the Portman Road League match from a date two days after a Liverpool match to a date when several Town players would have been on international duty.

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