HOULLIER SLAMS FINISHING

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier demanded his team improve their finishing after Chelsea's better touch in front of goal ensured they departed Anfield with the victory.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's late goal proved decisive after Juan Sebastian Veron's first-half opener had been cancelled out by Michael Owen's retaken penalty.

"We thought we deserved at least an equaliser," said Houllier.

"Chelsea were extremely clinical, they had two chances in the first half, one was saved by Jerzy Dudek and one we slipped and they scored.

"We could have done better after the equaliser in terms of compactness, but this is Liverpool and we wanted a second goal.

"We played a good side. The finishing is not yet at the level of the team performance and the production of chances, but it will come.

"I told my staff that the first goal would be vital and whoever scores will take control but because we needed to take some risks, once we equalised we didn't feel secure enough.

"We created chances, didn't finish them and it cost us the game. We could have at least got a draw but we must keep the mental stamina, the players showed qualities which are very important for the future.

"We didn't finish well but we made openings and that is a good position to move forward from."